(from The Migrant Times; the original story is here https://themigranttimes.org.nz/stories/2017/2/23/diversity-inner-city-east-multi-cultural-festival?rq=diversity)

The Inner City East Multicultural Festival was held on February 11, at the grounds of Linwood Community Arts Centre with the support of the Hagley Ferrymead Community Board to celebrate the cultural diversity of the various communities that are residing together in Christchurch.

The one-day event has been running for almost twenty years as a special project managed by Linwood College. With a variety of food, craft and ethnic stalls organised by residents themselves, including a new entrant – the Philippines, the mood was truly a celebration of diversity.

According toShirley Scarlett, who organised the event, the festival was aimed at “building communities and provide an opportunity to meet others and understand [different] cultures.” The crowd was also treated to a special dance performance by students of the O’Neill school of Irish Dance and a hangi was prepared for lunch time.

- Lisa (Yoon Jin) Oh

Recently finished a Master's in Human Rights and Democratisation in the Asia Pacific from the University of Sydney specialising in migration. Previously worked for the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an English Editor.