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Pako Festa, a beacon of harmony, unity, and respect.

Writer's picture: Joy Leggo OAMJoy Leggo OAM

As we approach Pako Festa, Cultura’s hallmark event now in its 43rd year, I am reminded of how crucial it is to celebrate and educate people about our diverse cultures.


In 2024, Cultura’s iconic Pako Festa, was announced the State Winner and National Nominee for Best Regional Event, a testament to its significance and impact. This festival has long been a cornerstone of Geelong’s multiculturalism, bringing together nearly 40 communities to celebrate their unique traditions, foods, and art - all in harmony.


In a world where connections can often feel fragmented, Pako Festa stands as a beacon of harmony, unity, and respect.


This isn’t just a community event; it is an essential platform for building cultural understanding and strengthening social cohesion. When we gather to share stories, food, and traditions, we don’t just learn about others, we also deepen our sense of belonging and appreciation for the vibrant mosaic of cultures that make up Greater Geelong. This is why ensuring the sustainability of Pako Festa is so important for Cultura as a leading multicultural organisation. Major community events like this are not luxuries, they are necessities for building a resilient and inclusive society.


This year, I am excited about Cultura’s new initiative: the Multicultural Youth Council Working Group. This vibrant group of young leaders, representing 15 multicultural communities, is already making waves. Passionate about their heritage, they inspired this year’s theme: ‘Our Youth, Our Tomorrow’. It is a theme that speaks to the heart of what we are building here - a future where young people not only inherit our traditions but actively shape and preserve them for generations to come.


Engaging young people in events like Pako Festa is about passing the torch, sparking curiosity, pride, and understanding. By participating, our youth learn the value of their cultural roots and gain the tools to share them with the wider community. This exchange enriches everyone. For Geelong and Victoria, it is a way to ensure the beauty of our diversity continues to thrive, inspiring future generations to uphold these values of inclusion and harmony.


As we celebrate this year’s Pako Festa, I always think of the profound importance of what we are doing. This major event is essential in shaping a community where every culture is valued, and every voice is heard. That is the legacy we aim to build, and it is one worth celebrating, today and for many years to come.


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The Committee for Geelong acknowledges the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the lands, waters, seas and skies on which we operate.

 

We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s First Nations people. 

 

We commit ourselves to working for reconciliation with First Nations People and supporting them in having a voice.

Artwork by Ammie Howell

Artwork by Ammie Howell

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