Auckland Council’s World of Cultures is drawing to a close for 2023, with the last seven days of vibrant events playing out around the region until 10 April. Visit worldofcultures.co.nz for information on the week's line-up.
An event bringing down the curtain on the festival is Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath, re-choreographed with vivid new colours and light patterns especially for World of Cultures. Learn more here.
The pinnacle event of the 21-day long festival – CultureFest – was held on Sunday 2 April, with 12,000 people flowing through the entrances into Mt Roskill’s War Memorial Park to celebrate more than 60 cultures in one place on one day.
Families and festival enthusiasts tasted delicious food served by communities representing 26 different countries including Afghanistan, Eritrea, Hungary, Syria, Hawaii (US) and Chile.
They were entertained by 40 live performances - dancing, singing, music - and the Pā Nui, a zone set up to share experiences through language, storytelling and panel discussions.
Auckland Councillor and Chief Liaison Councillor for Council Advisory Panels Julie Fairey says CultureFest is an event she looks forward to every year.
“CultureFest is an absolute highlight for me and my whānau; the food, the colour, the dancing and music were a wonderful celebration and sharing of our multicultural community.
"After a few years when it was hard to connect and meet together, events like this create even wider smiles for us all,” said Fairey.
A festival celebrating the unique blend of cultures in Tāmaki Makaurau has taken place since the late 1990s when the Refugee Services Aotearoa NZ asked Auckland City Council to take over their World Refugee Day Celebration.
The celebration of the region’s many cultures has grown since its early beginnings, moving from the one-day Auckland International Cultural Festival event to a region-wide World of Cultures celebration.
Auckland Council’s Events Manager David Burt is delighted with the way the 2023 series of events has been received by Aucklanders.
“One really uplifting aspect for me this year was Aucklanders’ commitment to celebrate our cultural diversity, and the importance they place in it.
“World of Cultures is designed to help all Aucklanders feel connected to and proud of their multi-cultural city - home to more than 180 ethnicities,” he says.