~ Article from Jason Membrey, Latrobe City ~
On Friday 12th October, 2015 around 4,000 people experienced Japanese and Chinese culture at the Latrobe City Sister Cities Festival enjoying a host of fun activities and vibrant stalls that reflected a true Japanese and Chinese flavour.
This year’s festival was a night market theme with activities including a dress-up competition for Cosplay and Anime costumes, anime movies, Japanese drumming, Chinese dancing, calligraphy, arts, crafts and music. The night market was an exotic mix of sounds, sights and smells as we delivered an authentic taste of life in our sister city, Takasago in Japan.
The city’s relationships with Takasago continue to thrive and being able to share some of the Japanese culture within our own region means that the wider community can enjoy a taste of Japan here in Latrobe City. The festival was a family friendly, interactive event and one that will see future festivals rotated annually at various locations across Latrobe City.
The media coverage from the Festival has gone beyond Latrobe City with a national audience reached. Please refer to the following link http://www.gogomelbourne.com.au/events/report/5229.html and Latrobe City’s Facebook page for further information about the Sister Cities Festival.