Thousands of festival goers made their way through the European Union Village @ the 2020 National Multicultural Festival in Canberra on Saturday 22 February. Stretching along Bunda St, the EU Village featured stalls from 26 Member States and Norway.
The EU Village was officially opened by EU Ambassador to Australia Michael Pulch, European Ambassadors and High Commissionerrs together with Australian Capital Teritorry (ACT) Chief Minister Andrew Barr and ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs Chris Steel.
Festival goers picked up their very own EU Passport, took thier passport picture and stamped thier way through each of the country stalls. Where else can you visit so many European countries in just one day?!
ABC local radio broadcast live from the EU Village for the first time.
SBS national television was on-site too. Watch as SBS reporter Brett Mason picks up his EU Passport and stamps his way through the EU Village.
In the heart of the EU Village, the Village Square was a-buzz with entertainment all day, including Bulgarian, Czech, Irish, Nordic, Portuguese and Slovak folk groups, an Estonian choir (who sang live on ABC local radio) and the historical Earthly Delights dance troupe.
Festival goers made thier own Martenitsa amulet bracelets from Bulgaria and Pomlázka Easter-time decorations from the Czech Republic. They played the Dutch game of Sjoelen, experienced Slovak virtual reality, a sauna from Finland and Italian flag throwing.
Visitors took photos dressed as Spanish flamenco dancers, wearing traditional Polish costume and donning Norwegian Viking hats. There was taste-testing of national treats, colouring in for the kids (Portugal stall) country quizzes, EU temporary tattoos and hampers full of European goodies to win.
Young and old, there was plenty in-stall for everyone! Check out all the pics on the EU Delegation socials:
Facebook @EUAustralia(link is external) Twitter(link is external) and Insta(link is external) @euinau.
European Union