~ Articles and photos by Latrobe City Council ~
Latrobe City‘s Sister Cities Festival at Kernot Hall on Saturday 14 March will go down as one of the best ever. The Festival attracted over 3000 visitors who experienced Japanese and Chinese culture, celebrating our Sister Cities relationship with Takasago, Japan and Taizhou, China.
The day had a mix of traditional and ultra-modern that makes Japan and China such vibrant places. Kernot Hall came alive with the sights, sounds and smells of both cultures.
The Festival continues to grow in both scope and status, attracting many people from the Latrobe City area, Gippsland and Melbourne communities. This year, we were fortunate to have the presence of Melbourne Consul-General of Japan, Ms Keiko Haneda to help us celebrate the festival.
The day was a free event for people of all ages who enjoyed both Chinese and Japanese vibrant cultures, discovering more about our sister cities. There was a range of activities to take part in and stage performances which were very entertaining.
The festival allowed the wider community, who may not have had the opportunity to visit these amazing countries, a closer connection with the extraordinary contrasts of the Japanese and Chinese lifestyle.
Crowd favourites Wadaiko Rindo returned with their crowd-pleasing Japanese drumming performances. Their energising display of drumming was mesmerising.
There were a number of new additions to this year’s festival which added another dimension. Making their debut was a Chinese musician performing the classical Erhu and a Japanese musician performing the Koto. Both musicians conducted interactive workshops enabling the audience to put their skills to the test.
In another first, the Cosplay and Anime competition saw twenty-eight entrants with some great costumes and anime characters coming to life.
The Chinese Lion dancing performance continues to be a crowd pleaser as was Peking Opera and Chinese Ribbon Dancers.
The crowd were interactive participating in activities such as Chinese and Japanese art activities, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, traditional Chinese costumes and photos, Japanese games and competitions, musical workshops and the Chinese Ribbon Dancing workshop, all provided plenty of entertainment for the young and not so young.
The festival was complimented by local restaurants offering their Japanese and Chinese cuisine. The taste buds where delighted by the Teppanyaki and Sushi Bars and Chinese flavours on offer.
The Night Market theme certainly compliment the festivals program and offerings, we’re looking forward to bigger and better things next year.
For further information please contact Jason Membrey, Coordinator Events and International Relations on 5128 5604 or email: jason.membrey@latrobe.vic.gov.au
