Cairns Regional Multicultural Association Festival celebrates 19 years of diversity and community

From arts and crafts, to cultural wear and food stalls, the Cairns Regional Multicultural Association is set to delight residents for another year, as its annual festival in Fogarty Park kicks off.

The Cairns and Region Multicultural Association will host the 19th annual Carma Festival this Saturday at Fogarty Park. Rampai Harrison will be performing traditional Thai dancing, while Shweta Goyal will showcase her Indian cultural heritage at the Carma Festival. Picture: Brendan Radke

From arts and crafts, to cultural wear and food stalls, the Cairns Regional Multicultural Association is set to delight residents for another year, as its annual festival in Fogarty Park kicks off.

Run entirely by volunteers, the festival has become a beloved fixture in many social calendars, as it now celebrates its nineteenth year.

CARMA president, Dariush Mirshafiei said festivals such as this one, which promote “inclusion and diversity”, are now more important than ever before.

“At a time where everyone is pushing each other away, we wanted to create a space where people can come together, share their culture, share their identity and it’s inclusive,” he said.

CARMA set to host the 19th annual festival this Saturday at Fogarty Park. Rampai Harrison will be performing traditional Thai dancing, while Aryan Jain, 12, and Shweta Goyal will showcase their Indian cultural heritage at the Carma Festival. Picture: Brendan Radke

There will be more than 20 food stalls, arts and crafts booths offering a diverse selection of items, including cultural clothing, handmade crafts, a variety of cuisines, and information about their respective cultures.

Mr Mirshafiei said the two day festival will be a melting pot, showcasing a wide range of cultures where “everyone can come together”.

“We’re the umbrella association for all the multicultural communities in Cairns, so this annual festival allows everyone to come together and showcase their talents, share food and essentially, CARMA is all about inclusion and diversity,” he said.

Live performances will also hit the main stage throughout the day on Saturday, September 7 from midday until late into the evening when the festival wraps up about 9pm.

Performer Dani Gelviro dances behind a CARMA float at the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held earlier in the week along the Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Locals really get involved with it the ones that are performing and whatnot, they’ll tell all their friends and family and we end up having a big family reunion here as well,” Mr Mirshafiei said.

With the festival being a free event, organisers encourage everyone to head down and check out what's on offer.

“I don’t like the idea of charging for the event because I would like to keep it as open as possible. Come through, have a look, it’s going to be a great day” Mr Mirshafiei said.

The festival will be held between Friday, September 6 from 5.30pm and close on Saturday, September 7 at 9pm.

Originally published as Cairns Regional Multicultural Association Festival celebrates 19 years of diversity and community