Cultural calendar enhanced for 2009
21 January 2009
This year's calendar of cultural and religious dates contains more information to help people understand the important events that many Australians celebrate, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.
The calendar, which is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website, lists more than 330 cultural and religious dates throughout 2009, many with a succint description of the events.
‘This is an excellent resource that all Australians can use to find out about the many cultural and religious events, festivals and days that are celebrated throughout our nation,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Australians speak more than 300 languages, originate from about 230 different countries and practise a wide variety of religions.
Cultural diversity gives vibrancy and dynamism to Australian life and festivals play an important role in bringing people together, regardless of their background.’
Mr Ferguson said cultural celebrations often lead to new friendships and help to overcome ignorance and encourage community cohesion.
‘One of the great things about being Australian is that we are able to share our many different cultural and religious traditions with one another,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘By highlighting cultural and religious dates of importance to many Australians, I hope the calendar encourages us all to find out more about our cultural and religious heritage.’
People can search the calendar by month, event or country/religion. For example, one of Australia’s longest running annual cultural events, the Greek Festival of Sydney, is celebrated on 29 March. A Hindu festival honouring the love between brothers and sisters, ‘Raksha Bandhan’, is marked on 5 August by the sister tying a thread on the wrist of her brother as a bond of protection.
The calendar is available on the DIAC website at:
www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/a-diverse-australia/calendar-australia
(Note: The information in the calendar is presented in good faith and the names of certain events may have alternative spellings or be recognised on different dates by communities.)Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09004.htm
Last update: 22 January 2009 at 14:49 AEST