Burundian drums beat in Brisbane
30 January 2009
The Australian Government is proud to help showcase spectacular drumming and dance performances by Brisbane’s Burundian community at their inaugural festival in Annerley tomorrow, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services Laurie Ferguson said today.
‘You only have to look at the program for the event to be amazed by the rich culture of the Burundian people,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘While I cannot attend, I am delighted that we have been able to support the festival through a grant of $5000 to the Association of the Burundian Community of Queensland.
‘This event was funded under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s small grants scheme which was piloted in 2008. This scheme will continue as an important component of the Diverse Australia program I launched this week.’
The small grants scheme provides up to $5000 for community relations activities and building the capacity of small organisations to help their communities.
‘I congratulate the Association of the Burundian Community of Queensland and their partners, which include Multicultural Development Australia (MDA), ACCES Inc, Multilink and the Queensland Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) for their hard work in bringing this festival together,’ Mr Ferguson said.
The day’s highlights include performances by the popular Burundian Master Drummers and Gumyakaranga dancers.
Burundi is a land-locked African country bordered by Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 1993, hundreds of thousands of Burundians have been killed in ethnic violence or have fled to refugee camps.
‘Queensland’s Burundian community has primarily chosen to settle in Brisbane’s south side in suburbs like Annerley and Greenslopes as well as in the Logan area,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘The community began with about 30 people in 2001. Now, in 2009, more than 800 Burundians call Queensland their home and many are now proud Australian citizens.’
The Burundian Community Festival will be staged at Mary Mac Hall, 616 Ipswich Road, Annerley, starting at 12.30pm.
Note for media: The Burundian Master Drummers’ performance is scheduled to start at 12.50pm. Representatives of the community and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will be available for interview after the drum performance.
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09006.htm
Last update: 30 January 2009 at 08:53 AEST