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The world comes to Hastings for International Cultures Day

Wednesday 29 February 2012, 2:55PM

By Hastings District Council

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HASTINGS

<p>Cornwall Park will take on an appearance, reminiscent of the United Nations as International Cultures Day comes to Hastings this Saturday.<br /> <br /> The event will feature food stalls with tastes from all corners of the globe while the very best entertainers from local cultural groups will bring their special style to the stage.<br /> <br /> New Zealand China Friendship Society president Sally Russell says &ldquo;There will be an enormous range of food stalls, with all your favourite dishes from many different countries. Food will be available from Chinese, German, Philippine, Brazilian, Indian, Indonesian and Sri Lankan stalls while food cooked hangi style is likely to be one of the favourites.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> To coincide with International Cultures Day, the Osmanthus Gardens in Cornwall Park will be lit up with Chinese lanterns from Thursday March 1st till Sunday March 4th .The lights will be turned on until 11pm which will allow everyone a chance to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the gardens at night.<br /> <br /> Chairman of the International Advisory Group Kevin Watkins says &ldquo;Following the success of lighting the Osmanthus Garden last year for the 30th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship with Guilin, we wanted to make sure the community got the chance to see the garden lit up again. International Cultures Day is the most perfect opportunity to do this.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Sally Russell says &ldquo;The entertainment will be spectacular and the food, absolutely delicious. Around 5000 people regularly attend International Cultures Day but we are expecting a larger crowd this year, due to the fantastic lineup of entertainers.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> A feature of this year&rsquo;s event will be the Year of the Dragon - Dragon Dance and a Lion Dance performed by members of the Wellington Chinese Sports and Cultural Centre.<br /> <br /> Entertainment will also come from Te Aute College students and the Fetuao Youth Group from the Wesley Methodist Church in Hastings. Members of the Philippine, Tongan and Sri Lankan community will bring their special talents to the stage while there will also be a performance from a Chinese children&rsquo;s singing group.<br /> <br /> International Cultures day starts at 11am this Saturday (March 3rd) at Cornwall Park in Hastings.</p>