See the world on your backdoor step at Culture's Day

You won’t have to travel far to experience cultures from all corners of the earth on Saturday, 6 March 2010, as Hastings’ Cornwall Park hosts the annual Hawke’s Bay International Cultures Day.

Nearly 20 different ethnicities are expected to be represented at the “celebration of cultures” day, and with the popular Wellington Dragon Dance group performing this year, it is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

Organiser of the event and President of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of New Zealand China Friendship Society, Sally Russell, says there will be food stalls, fascinating performances and information available about various countries on the day, which means families can enjoy many of the world’s traditions on their backdoor step.

“The Wellington Dragon Dance team came together to perform at Wellington Chinese New Year Celebrations and quickly became passionate,” Sally says.

“With help from the Asia New Zealand Foundation they brought in trainers from Singapore to help. In Asia, Dragon Dance is considered a sport where performances are scored by 10 judges much the same as in gymnastics. They recently took part in the World Luminous Dragon Dance championships in Hong Kong. Not only were they first time performers but also it was the first time a non-Asian country had taken part. They came eighth in Hong Kong and we are very pleased to welcome them in Hastings. Their performance will begin at 2pm.”

Groups that have already confirmed their attendance include Maori, Thai, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Cook Islands, Dutch, Philippines, Scottish, Samoan, Kiribati, India, Japanese, English, Tongan, Russian, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The long list of cultures taking part in the celebration has ballooned since the event’s first inception in 1999 as an Asian Festival, by former Hastings Mayor, the Late Jeremy Dwyer.

The event was part of a network of “Asia 2000” celebrations being held throughout New Zealand and the highlight was a 10-strong Choy Brothers troupe of Singaporean stilt walkers – with stilts measuring up to 2.5m in height, they leapt through rings of fire and over rows of chairs.

It was reported in a local newspaper following the event that the Late Hastings Mayor Jeremy Dwyer said “An all-day festival celebrating all the ethnic communities in Hawke’s Bay is planned following the success of yesterday’s Festival of Asia Day”.

The Hawke’s Bay Branch of New Zealand China Friendship Society helped organize the second festival which was held in 2001 and again the third in 2003, when it became an annual event.

“The event was changed to a Saturday in 2003 so that many church based groups were able to participate,” Sally says.

“Each year some more of the wide range of ethnic communities in Hawke’s Bay add to the colour and vibrancy and this year will be no exception with the original Asian focus along with strong performances from Pacific communities, Kiribati, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga and other people represented with the Morris Dancers and Highland dancers.

“Food has always been a highlight with many communities cooking their specialties for HB people to enjoy, and we are expecting a wide range of delicacies from Chinese cha su bao, and many other treats.”

For a “taste” of exotic countries that you never thought you’d experience without leaving Hawke’s Bay, don’t miss the much anticipated Hawke’s Bay International Cultures Day which kicks off at 11am at Cornwall Park, Tomoana Road, Hastings.

In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House.