Cultural celebrations deemed successful
An event celebrating South Canterbury’s diverse culture has been branded a success after selling out.
To celebrate international Race Relations Day, The International Food and Entertainment event was held on Saturday night at Caroline Bay Hall.
Event organiser Rosie Knoppel said she had planned to cater for 400 people, but the event’s final headcount was 417 thanks to some late out of town entries.
‘‘People from Ashburton and Tekapo came and we said we couldn’t turn them away.’’
The night was an opportunity for migrants to show how capable they were in the arts, entertainment, and food, she explained.
The crowd was entertained by a Chinese martial arts and Tai Chi demonstration, South American dancing, a Korean woman playing the flute, and Vanuatu and Tongan dancing.
The highlight of the entertainment was Ghanan drummer, Koffie Fugah, who impressed the crowd with honed drumming skills, Knoppel said. ‘‘He had them captivated.’’ A smorgasbord of ethic culinary choices were also available. Patrons could choose from Indian, Thai, French, Vanuatu, Filipino and Ghanan food.
About eight international students from Craighead Diocesan School and Roncalli College helped out with organisation and catering, Knoppel said
‘‘Our goal is to lift the profile of our migrant community - we are getting more and more diverse.’’
Every year South Canterbury became more diverse, she said. Migrant numbers never dropped, she said.
Koppel herself was a migrant from Germany.
‘‘One of the most important things is to not be judgmental. Migrants are valued members of the community.’’
The last time an event like this was held was around eight years ago, she said.
Although the team was still cleaning up on Sunday, there were talks of another food and entertainment festival in 2018 or 2019.