The chance to participate in Victoria’s largest free multi-arts and cultural party will see over one hundred thousand people flock to Geelong this weekend for the famous annual Pako Festa.

The theme for the 2018 Festa, “Reflections of Culture”, will be showcased in an elaborate street parade in the main street of Geelong West – Pakington Street – a smorgasbord of international cuisine, performances, workshops and art exhibitions on offer.

Now in its thirty-sixth year, Pako Festa has grown in size however at its core it’s always been a festival that recognises the extraordinary contributions of multicultural communities in Geelong and across Australia.

It all began with an ambitious idea to create a community-led party in Geelong and celebrate an ethnically diverse heritage suburb under siege from redevelopment.

Established in 1983 by the Ethnic Communities Council Inc., Geelong West Traders and Geelong West City Council, its purpose was to gain an appreciation of the great variety of artistic and cultural expression in Geelong’s multicultural community.

Its founders also sought to inform and enthuse younger members of second and third generation migrants about their cultural heritage.

The first Pako Festa was attended by twelve thousand people, yet no one could have foreseen how it would grow over the years.

In 2018, now organised by local settlement provider Diversitat, Geelong’s much loved and award-winning festival offers a unique opportunity for over one hundred thousand festival participants and has grown to be the biggest of its kind in Australia.

With more than one fifth of Geelong’s residents now coming from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the opportunity to showcase the region’s artistic and cultural expression is just as important today.

And the population is continually changing, with humanitarian entrants of Karen and Kareni ethnicity from Burma, Sudanese and Congolese people arriving in recent years adding to Geelong’s multicultural makeup.

Pako Festival is on Saturday 24th February 2018 from 9am – 5pm at Pakington St in Geelong West, Victoria.

Carissa Gilham
Research Officer at AMES Australia