General News
17 August, 2023
Free family cultural event at Manunda
A FREE family event to celebrate multicultural month in Cairns is on Friday at Harald Falge Park at Manunda from 5pm as part of Cairns Regional Council’s Moving Picture Nights.
Cains Mayor Bob Manning said multicultural month was a wonderful opportunity to recognise
and celebrate the positive impact different cultures have on our community.
“More than 37,200 people, just over 22 per cent of the community, were born overseas, bringing
valuable new traditions and perspectives to Cairns,” he said.
“This month is another way council can support and promote the region as a place where
everyone feels like they belong.”
The park will become a hive of activity on Friday, starting at 5pm with AFL
Queensland hosting a range of children’s activities, while local African, Ukrainian, and Fijian
community groups will be selling traditional finger food alongside a free sausage sizzle.
Families can lay out their picnic blankets and watch talented artists from different
backgrounds perform captivating cultural dances from 5.30pm.
Following the cultural dancers, an acoustic live performance from local emerging musician,
Chris Whitchurch, will entertain the audience.
The free screening of the animated family movie Vivo will start from 7pm.
The follows Vivo, a musically talented kinkajou (a tropical mammal that looks like a monkey-
cat hybrid) busks the streets of Havana, Cuba, with his owner Andrés.
But after a tragedy, Vivo must journey to Florida to deliver a love song to his owner’s former
musical partner and long-lost love, the famous Marta Sandoval.
The council’s animal management team will also be on hand to answer pet related questions
and unveil a new mural in the park designed by students at the nearby Cairns West Primary
School.
Division 7 Councillor Max O’Halloran said the council provided supported to cultural
associations, community service providers, and organisations trough the Community
Partnership Grant program.
“These grants play a crucial role in nurturing and preserving the diverse heritage that forms
the heart of our city,” he said.
“Council is committed to building and enabling inclusive and cohesive communities and we
take great pleasure in supporting community events such as this.
“I am proud to be part of a community that embraces the virtues of acceptance,
inclusiveness, and respect for each other.
“And what better place to celebrate these qualities, than at Harald Falge Park, located in one
of the most culturally diverse areas of Carns.”
Harald Falge Park celebrations:
* 5pm: Children’s activities and free sausage sizzle
* 5.30pm: Cultural performances and a performance by Chris Whitchurch
* 7pm: Movie starts, Vivo
