The annual Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival, a vibrant celebration of multiculturalism, is set to kick off on Sunday, 27th October, with the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, in attendance. Minns will mingle with children from various backgrounds as they come together to showcase their talents, cultures, and shared dreams of a harmonious future.
This year’s festival promises a packed programme of performances, with children from diverse communities showing off their cultural heritage through dance and song. Alongside the entertainment, festivalgoers can enjoy a range of free activities such as parachute games, sack races, kite-making, rock climbing, and more. The festival isn’t just about fun—it’s an opportunity for the children of Sydney to embrace their cultural roots and, in doing so, contribute to a more unified and inclusive society.
Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare, speaking at a fundraising event for the festival two weeks ago, highlighted the importance of the event in fostering inclusivity. “Racism is something that is learned, and it’s something we can all ensure doesn’t happen to our children. The Children’s Festival is an important antidote to that,” Clare remarked, praising the event for promoting understanding and tolerance.
One of the highlights will be a costume parade featuring the cultural attire of dozens of communities, with Premier Minns taking centre stage alongside the participants for the national anthem. Beyond the festivities, the event will feature community information stalls, food trucks, and competitions themed around “My Dream of Multicultural Australia,” allowing children to express their hopes for a more unified society through art and writing.
The founding president of the Children’s Festival, Thuat Nguyen AM, expressed his excitement over the Premier’s involvement in the event for the first time. Nguyen said, “We are delighted to welcome the Premier as we celebrate the twenty-sixth annual festival in Bankstown. Over the years, we’ve worked together to build harmony and social cohesion in our multicultural Australia.”
Since its inception, the Children’s Festival has successfully staged 40 festivals across Sydney, drawing in over a quarter of a million people from various cultural backgrounds. The festival’s mission has remained the same—to create a sense of belonging for children, regardless of their heritage.
The festival will be held at Playford Park, Cahors Road, Padstow, conveniently located near the Railway Station, from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free, and all are welcome to join in this celebration of unity, culture, and hope for the future.
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