Albany’s Harmony Festival returns to celebrate the diverse cultures within the community

The Albany Town Square will come to life with music, flags and flavours from around the world on Saturday for the Harmony Festival, an event that aims to celebrate and promote unity through diversity.

The family-friendly event is set to kick off at 11am with more than 30 market stalls showcasing a variety of different cultures in the heart of Albany.

The festival is a collaboration between community groups Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre, Eclipse Events and Southern Edge Arts, as well as the City of Albany and The Office of Multicultural Interests - Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries.

The event will feature interactive workshops and performances aimed at young and old with something for everyone, celebrating the joy that comes from appreciating different cultures from around the world.

A showcase of local talent of multicultural performances, from singing and dancing to the sounds of traditional instruments, will be a key part of the festival.

Angela Bristow-Baohm of Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre said it was a great opportunity to celebrate Albany’s diversity.

“The Harmony Week Festival is a unique opportunity for the Albany community to come together, celebrate our differences, and learn from each other,” she said.

In the spirit of the Harmony Festival, organisers are encouraging those who attend to wear traditional clothes representative of their cultural heritage.

Beyond Saturday’s festival, the city of Albany has plenty more planned for Harmony Week, which will formally start on Monday, March 18.

From a workshop on superfoods from different cultures to movie screenings and multicultural dance lessons, there will be something for everyone.