Signature Events
Presented on three stages in Garema Place, Petrie Plaza and Akuna Street.
Downloadable Program (designer version) 
PDF 707kb
Map of the Festival (designer version) PDF239kb
Friday Schedule 58kb
Saturday Schedule 68kb
Sunday Schedule 14kb
Mura Wakay
Celebrating Australia - Rich in culture and song
5 February | Garema Place | 7:35pm - 8:50pm
Deni Hines, Melinda Schneider and Paulini have been wooing Australian audiences with great music, signature tunes and diva-style vocals, now they unite in Mura Wakay, a uniquely Australian show celebrating a country diverse in culture and song.
Joining these incredible artists will be one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer/songwriters Emma Donovan.
Mura Wakay (meaning “One Voice’’ in the Kalaw Lagaw Ya language from the Torres Strait Islands) is a 90 minute contemporary cultural performance, showcasing traditional dance and song with contemporary classic hits and anthems Australia identify as ‘their own’
This fine cast will perform songs in languages from Aboriginal Australia, Fiji, Africa, Spain and more.
Mura Wakay was created by Jason Williamson and iconic Indigenous entertainer Christine Anu for Stylin Up Entertainment Pty Ltd.
Global Concert and Multicultural Night Markets
5 February | Garema Place | 5pm to midnight
The spectacular festival opening! Experience Canberra’s Multicultural Night Markets and the Global Concert, featuring a dazzling array of performers from home and abroad.
Deni Hines, Melinda Schneider and Paulini and Emma Donovan will unite in Mura Wakay, a uniquely Australian show celebrating a country diverse in culture and song.
Other performers include Lachlan Coventry and Anton Wurzer, Clankenstein, Queen Juanita and the Zydeco Cowboys, The Beez (Germany), The Rhythm Hunters, Italmania, DJ Gosper and the KarismaKatz and Sol Nation.
Food and Dance Spectacular (Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets)
6 February | Garema Place | Petrie Plaza | Akuna Street | 11am to midnight
Share the tastes, sounds and traditions of an array of cultures at this iconic festival event. Some 100 food stalls and the sounds of the planet, presented on three stages and two performance arts zones.
Europe Street
6 February | Ainslie Avenue
Eighteen Member States and the European Union Delegation will form Europe Street at the National Multicultural Festival on Saturday 6 February.
Europe Street will again be located in Ainslie Avenue, Canberra, and will feature a wide range of information on the specific member states as well as the EU as a whole. Information on Europe as a tourist, work or study destination will be available, as will some giveaways.
It is a great opportunity to come along and see what Europe has to offer. You could also win a balloon ride for two!
Participating countries include Bulgaria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the European Union Delegation.
Pacific Island Showcase
6 February | Akuna Street Stage | 11am–4pm
The Akuna Street stage comes alive with the vibrant dance and beautiful harmonies of the Pacific Islands. Featuring live performers from Samoa, Tonga, Aotearoa, Niue, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
Carnival in the City
6 February | Garema Place | 4pm–midnight
A celebration of Latin song and dance explodes into Garema Place the evening of the Food and Dance Spectacular. The night Canberra dances to the Latin beat! Artists include Baile Chile, Colombian and Peruvian folk dancers, Latin Heat, Selene y su Quimba, Los Chavos, the Kokoloco dancers, Salsabor and Salsarico dancers, Encuentro trio, The Salsa Kingz, Modus Vivendi and Mi Tierra.
Bush Dance
6th February | All Saint's Church hall, Ainslie | 8pm - 11:30pm | Cost $12 | (02) 6161 2426
The Monaro Folk Society's Bush dance to the music of the Bush Capital Band at All Saint's Church hall in Ainslie. Please bring a plate of supper to share. All welcome No experience in bush dancing required, all dances will be taught and called on the night.
Contact Canberra (ActewAGL ’s)
7 February | City Walk | Petrie Plaza | 11am–5pm
Contact Canberra is a true community expo. Find out about what’s going on in your community, clubs to join, activities to enjoy. Develop new interests and make new friends!
The Greek Glendi
7 February | Garema Place Stage | 11am–5pm
Featuring Greece at its best! Sample wonderful culinary delights and traditional and contemporary Greek music. A festival favourite.
Chinese New Year in the City (ACTTAB)
7 February | Petrie Plaza | 11am–5pm
2010 is the ‘Year of the Tiger’ and Petrie Plaza will be filled with the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
India in the City
7 February | Akuna Street Stage | 11am–5pm
An amazing celebration of the sub-continent. You’ll see and hear traditional songs, dance and highlights from Bollywood on the Akuna Street stage.
Windows on Europe
6-14 February | Dendy Cinemas | Prices $12, Concession $9
The European Union brings together 17 awrd winning films from across Europe. Drame, thrillers, comedies and romance.
Film Festival Program (Designer version) PDF 2.2mb
Freigesprochen (Free to Leave) | Austria/Luxembourg 2007
96 minutes – drama
Free to Leave is a story about guilt and lies: for a brief moment, upright stationmaster Thomas Hudetz is distracted by the flirtatious behaviour of a girl, Anna, resulting in a catastrophic train accident. To escape blame, Thomas and Anna lie, setting off a chain of events,
which will change their lives forever. The guilt and lies they have in common drive Thomas and Anna into an obsessive love that changes
lives dramatically – and not just theirs! This film was nominated for a Golden Leopard Award in 2007.
Shivachki (Seamstresses) | Bulgaria 2007
87 minutes – horror/romance/thriller
Looking for employment and better prospects, three young girls flee their hometown and arrive in Sofia seeking a better future. While
trying to survive, they face the harsh realities of life which threatens to break their innocence. One girl becomes the love-toy of a pimp,
and prompted by her seeming betrayal, the second girl becomes involved in a love triangle and attempts suicide, while the third puts
up a courageous struggle for the two friends’ redemption. A story of love, friendship and courage. A winner of two international festival
awards in 2008.
Daens | Belgium 1993
138 minutes – Drama
Nominated for an Academy Award, this moving drama is set in the 1890s and tells the story of Father Adolf Daens, a Catholic Priest
who strives to improve the miserable working conditions and end the exploitation of child labour in the factories in Aalst, Belgium. It
tells of his struggle to overcome adversity and his choice between two callings, as priest and as champion of the workers. A winner of
multiple Awards.
Meli Kai Krasi (Honey and Wine) | Cyprus 2006
76 minutes – drama
In his feature film debut, Marinos Kartikkis takes us on a journey following the life of Eleni who lives alone and is haunted by
memories from her past. Her solitary life, however, is disrupted when she witnesses a disagreement between a young couple in
the neighbouring house. Following the argument, she receives an unexpected visit by Rea, the young woman involved in the fight
who has locked herself out of the house. Thus begins a relationship between the two women with unforeseen consequences for both of
them.
Katastrofin Aineksia (Recipes for Disaster) | Finland 2008
85 minutes – documentary
Winner of the Best Documentary Film at the 2009 Jussi Awards, Katastrofin Aineskia shows that at the core of the impending climate
catastrophe are those little failures that we as individuals make every day and which are so much a part of human nature that often
lead to disaster. This film shows thirteen of these little recipes for disaster as it follows the life of a family that tries to live a full year
using only green products and services. Its awards include the Jussi prize for Best Documentary Film and Best Film in 2009
Tobruk | Czech Republic 2008
102 minutes – WWII Drama
Tobruk is the story of of Jiri and Jan, two Czech soldiers, battling alongside the allied forces against the Germans, during World
War II in Tobruk, Libya. Their nemesis is Corporal Kohák, a former member of the French Foreign Legion, for whom warfare is, above
all, a profession. The psychological drama between these three characters, their differing attitudes and personalities, are brought
into confrontation creating a harsh test of their moral characters. A multiple award winner in the Czech Republic including Best
Cinematography, Best Musical Composition and Best Director.
La Fille de Monaco (The Girl from Monaco) | France 2008
95 minutes – comedy/drama
A brilliant and neurotic attorney goes to Monaco to defend a 70 year-old local socialite accused of murder. But, no matter how
old, successful or powerful you are and no matter how much in command of your life you may be – love and sex can still make a
complete idiot out of you, under the right (or wrong) circumstances. Hopefully, his zealous bodyguard will step in and put everything
back in order... or will he? Nominated for César Awards for Best Supporting Actor and promising new talent.
A Friend of Mine | Germany 2006
84 minutes – comedy/drama
In an effort to help Karl discover his true potential, his boss sends him off on a fact finding mission in the company’s car rental branch.
So he can secretly monitor the inner workings of the business, Karl goes undercover as a driver where he meets the dynamic go-getter
Hans. Karl becomes immersed in Hans’ world of fast cars, fun and friends – a world which includes Stelle, Hans’ Cleopatra, the woman
he loves and intends to marry. It is a comedy about discovering love and the zaniness of friendship. Nominated for Best Supporting
Actress.
The Homecoming | Greece 2007
97 minutes – drama
Winning the 2007 Fipresci Award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, The Homecoming is a drama centred around Petro – a
handsome young Albanian who is employed by a couple (an older man and his younger wife) returning to their home in central Greece.
We are taken on a journey through the perspective of the wife, as the lonely, still attractive woman finds a fellow soulmate in the
handsome Albanian. Their cautious, incremental relationship, under the stern eyes of the autocratic Ilias, is beautifully written and played
right up to the tragic ending!
A Nyomozó (The Investigator) | Hungary 2008
107 minutes – comedy/drama/thriller
This multi-award winning film tells the story of precise and silent, Tibor Malkáv – your average 37 year-old man, who though not rich,
leads a comfortable and uncomplicated life. All this changes when he finds out his mother is dying of cancer and the cost of surgery
is well beyond his means. A one-eyed man known as the Cyclops offers Tibor a solution to his financial woes, however, there is a catch
and Tibor has to kill someone in return. What follows is a chain reaction that has long lasting and unexpected results.
Alles is Liefde (Love is All) | The Netherlands 2007
110 minutes – comedy/romance
Winning a multitude of awards, including two Golden Calves for best feature film, Alles is LiefdeI follows the life of Klaasje who, folllowing her husband’s infidelity with their son’s teacher, falls for a teenage Don Juan. Her best friend Simone seems happy with her own husband but her tenacious pursuit for perfection is beginning to take its toll on the marriage. Kiki is in love too, and enjoying her fling with Prince Valentijn, the most eligible prince within the Dutch royal family. Kees, an undertaker, and lifeguard Victor are in love. They intend to get married soon, but now Kees seems to be holding back. All the story-lines within this romantic comedy are somehow interlinked. But sooner or later, every character ends up meeting Jan, our hero , who, in his role of deus ex machina, sees to it that in the end love conquers all.
Mala Moskwa (Little Moscow) | Poland 2008
114 minutes – drama/history/romance
Winning the Best Actress and the Golden Lion Award at the 2008 Polish Film Festival, the tragic love story Mala Moskwa takes us back to the Cold War in Legnica, Poland. It is 1967 during the 50th Anniversary of the October Revolution where Michal, a Polish Military officer and Vera, the lovely wife of Yuri, a Soviet pilot and colleague of Michal meet. The story inexorably leads to tragedy as Vera desperately tries to stop herself from falling love with Michal.
Cristóvão Colombo o Enigma’ (Christopher Columbus, the Enigma) | Portugal 2007
75 minutes – drama/history
Inspired by the book ‘Cristovão Colon era Português’ and winning the ‘Il Bisato d’Oro’/Golden Medal at the Venice International Film Festival, we are taken on a journey with Manuel Luciano who follows his passion to discover the true identity of Christopher Columbus. Accompanied by his wife, he visits the places linked to the Portuguese discoveries, both in Portugal and in the United States in an attempt to unveil the mystery that has fascinated him since his youth. He is now very close to revealing the
truth.
California Dreamin | Romania 2007
155 minutes – comedy/drama/war
After the tragic death of award winning Cristian Nemescu, the film’s Director, California Dreamin was released as he left it, with no
further changes made to the final editing. Based on a true story, California Dreamin tells the poignant tale of the long-awaited arrival of the Americans to Romania. Set against the backdrop of the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the film explores with humour and gritty realism the impact that the arrival of the American soldiers led by Captain Jones has on the small village
community.
Hector | Spain 2004
112 minutes – drama
With 9 wins and 12 nominations, this award winning film takes us on a journey with Héctor who, following the death of his mother,
moves from his family home to a small flat on the outskirts of Madrid to live with his aunt. Trying to come to terms with a different
lifestyle, his life is again thrown into chaos with the arrival of his long lost father whom he has never met. A very touching film from
Director Gracia Querejeta which portrays the problems of a family in which the father figure is missing.
The Swimsuit Issue | Sweden 2009
100 minutes – comedy
The Swimsuit Issue is an underdog comedy about male friendship, sexism and difficult family relations. After a wild bachelor party
and an excruciating defeat in floor ball, Fredrik, an out-of-work, over the hill, would-be athlete discovers his passion and talent
for synchronized swimming. He soon dreams of competing with his friends for the gold as Sweden’s only male team at the world
championship in Berlin. The only problem is that despite their newfound enthusiasm and passion for the pool, none of the guys
swim well, neither do they know the first thing about performing – other than what they’ve seen Esther Williams do.
The Age of Stupid | United Kingdom 2009
50 Minutes – documentary
The Age of Stupid is a drama-documentary-animation hybrid from director Fanny Armstrong and starring Oscar nominated Pete
Postlethwaite as a man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching archive footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we
stop climate change when we had the chance? A very powerful film which has been used by the UK Department for Energy and Climate
Change in support of their climate change activity.
The Bald Archy Prize 2010
5 February - 8 March | Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street | Open daily 10am - 4pm | (02) 6241 1670 | Admission: $3.00
"The only art competition in the world to be judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo named Maude". Following last year's big festival success, Australia's most popular comic portrait competition is delighted to once again preview a scathingly brilliant new exhibition featuring many prominent Australians - just for fun! "Irreverent, outrageous satire! Not to be missed.".
The Sounds of Art
5 February - 21 February | Belconnen Arts Centre
It has included al Visual Artists and Musicians, and dancers form our City. It has been a great chance to meet professional and passionate artists. The Art and Sound Exhibition has offered a specific flair by creating a place of colorful cultural and artistic diversity of a particular kind and invited the visitors to enjoy the atmosphere the new Arts Centre in ACT. The City of Canberra is a full of life and and full of places to visit and enjoy.
Visual Artists: Silvia Velez, ( Photography) Maiju Altupere, (Ceramic) Nasser Palangi, (Mixed Media) Fatima Killen (Oil on Canvas) Farideh Zariv (Mixe Media) and Fatemah Palangi.(Oil on Canvas)
11 February - 13 February | Belconnen Arts Centre
Music:
Milena Cifali (Guitar) World Music
John Couch (Guitar) Judith Hickel ( Violin) World Music
Padma Menon (Indian Dance)
Multicultural Art Zones
6-7 February | Art Zone 1 (Petrie Plaza) | Art Zone 2 (near Canberra Centre fountain)
Multicultural Singing and Dancing Workshops
6 February | Art Zone 1 | 11am-6pm
Tango Workshop
6 February | Art Zone 1 | 6:30pm
Tango Cafe
6 February | Tango Cafe | 7pm-midnight
Drumming and Storytelling
6 February | Art Zone 2 | 11am-6pm
Monaro Bush Dance Display Group
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 11am-11:20am
Canberra Dance Theatre
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 11:30am-11:50am
Carers ACT
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 12noon-12:15pm
Urban Lava
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 12:25pm-1pm
Flamenco Centre
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 1:10pm-1:30pm
Silver Soles Cloggers
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 1:40pm-2pm
Ukelele Canberra
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 2:10pm-2:30pm
Musali EGZOTIK
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 2:40pm-3pm
Canberra City Band
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 3:40pm-4pm
Soda Pops
7 February | Art Zone 1 | 4:30pm-4:50pm
Music, Dances and Weddings
7 February | Education lawn of the Botanic Gardens | 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Free event | Bring blankets or chairs
For a third year during the National Multicultural Festival the Australian-Bulgarian Association "Rodina", Canberra and region Inc and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are organising an international concert.
Craft ACT Exhibition
11 February - 20 March | Gallery 1 and 2 | 6pm
GALLERY 1: Flying flings Emily Valentine
Through the use of feathers combined with recognisable animal forms, Valentine creates hybrid objects that dissect and examine human attitudes towards animals and genetics. The ambiguity Valentine creates between form and texture challenges standard expectations of normality. This new body of work explores the cross pollination of animals with machines. Presented in conjunction with the 2010 National Multicultural Festival.
GALLERY 2: Jonathan Baskett
Baskett exhibits a range of glassware exploring the relationship between form and colour. The work is the result of an ongoing collaboration with the Nouvel Glass studio in Mexico where he has been appointed as the Head of Research and Development. Since 2001 Basket has been involved in the production of his own glassware ranges with Nouvel exploring the stacking of objects both on and into each other to create sculptural groupings.
CRUCIBLE SHOWCASE: Made in Japan Elizabeth Kelly
A body of work inspired as the result of Kelly’s artist-in-residency at Seto International Ceramic and Glass Art Centre, Japan, January and February 2008. During this residency Kelly created a Small City of Glass inspired by the surrounding cultural environment. This is the first time the work has been exhibited in Australia.
Image credits: Emily Valentine, My Little Birdoggie, 2009, feathers and mixed media. Photo: courtesy of the artist; Jonathan Baskett, Caterpillar bowls, 2005, hand blown and cut glass, designed by Jonathan Baskett and made by Nouvel Studio, Mexico. Photo: courtesy of the artist; Elizabeth Kelly, Cubes, 2005, painted blown glass. Photo: Matt Kelso.
Show Us Your Roots
13 February | Canberra Theatre | 8pm
Canberra Ticketing Ph: (02) 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au 
Show Us Your Roots is a hilarious fast paced poke at multicultural Australia - how the things which appear to differentiate us are invariably the very things which make us the same..
Logie nominated Glenn Robbins has been acting and writing in comedy for well over 20 years. When he takes the stage you’ll see a new side of the man best known for his time on The Comedy Company, Fast Forward, The Panel, Kath and Kim and most recently Out of the Question on Channel 7. Hosting the 2010 annual Multicultural Festival endorsed Show Us Your Roots, Robbins will introduce to the stage:
Hung Le (Vietnam) After the fall of Saigon back in 1975, like so many other Vietnamese folk at the time, Hung Le and his family fled his country in a small boat. They were among the original boat people. But what's just a little different about this bloke is that Hung Le then went on to earn a living making the rest of us laugh at his plight as an asylum seeker.
Dave Callan is easily the hairiest comedian in Australia, Irish Dave Callan is a versatile and highly entertaining comedian, writer and performer.
One of the greats of pure laugh out loud comedy, British born Jeff Green has become a well known face and voice on Australian TV and radio having appeared on Spicks and Specks, Good News Week and The Squizz.
Simon Palomares (Spain) A talented story teller, Palomares is both appealing and entertaining providing an enjoyable on what it was like for him growing up in multicultural Australia. Having just appeared on SBS television with his documentary Ko Ho Nas, Simon has exciting tales to tell about performing stand up in his ancestral homeland.
Multiculturalism and taking the mickey out of yourself: the two things that make Australia great are the two main ingredients of Show Us Your Roots.
ANU Public Lectures
The Australian National University is once again proud to be a part of the international delights of the 2010 National Multicultural Festival in Canberra. As part of the festival, ANU will be presenting a series of free public lectures across campus. The lectures will cover a broad range of topical cultural issues.
For more information about the range of Multicultural Festival events at ANU visit www.anu.edu.au or email events@anu.edu.au
