PIERS FESTIVAL, PORT MELBOURNE - Multicultural Commission of Victoria - Slovenian Community was invited to participate with the Exhibition of Migration and arrivals by various ships to the Melbourne Pier.

Piers Festival Coordinator: Ms Andrea Makris, Events and Operations,Multicultural Arts Victoria

The Piers Festival 2014 - A celebration of migration

Saturday January 25

Slovenian Community was invited for the first time to participate with an exhibition of posters, crafts, PowerPoint presentation, available story tellers and Slovenians ready to share the information and details.

The exhibition was fully prepared the previous Friday.

The persons involved in the project were: Dragica and Virgil Gomizel, Anica and Lojze Markič and Slovenian coordinator Draga Gelt OAM and some Committee members of Slovenian Association Melbourne.

The Festival opened from 12pm to 5pm in the afternoon, followed by a party (food and drinks were available the early morning) and fireworks at night.

Official Program:

12pm - 5pm: VOICES STAGE
Hosted by SistaNative
Enjoy some of Melbourne's finest harmonies from culturally diverse artists and communities including: The Sevdalinka Choir - The Brimbank Multicultural Choir - Mir Kumen On Yiddish choir The Sivaganga's Choir - Cambur Pinton

12 - 5pm: DANCE STAGE
Hosted by Melanie Moravski
Watch and learn fun steps with a colourful array of cultural dance groups including: Rangana & Udumbara Sri Lankan Dance - Ceffyl Gwyn Welsh Dance - Ekol Folkloric Turkish Dance - Albanian Folkloric Dance - Asanti Dance Theatre

12:30pm - 4:30pm: MIGRATION STORYTELLING FORUMS
Presented by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Did you or your parents arrive as migrants? Hear some incredible stories that draw out the universal experience of the migrant with guest speakers from some of Melbourne's key migrant communities. Forums will be held upstairs in the historic gatehouse.

Migration forumm
12:30 - 1:30pm: Migration Mosaic (a mix of artists and influencers of migrant heritage) register at

Huseyin (Huss) Mustafa, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Commissioner VMC & President Australian Turkish Business Council
Anita Horvath - Emerald Hill Ward Cr
Cece Ojany
Mikelangelo
Vinko Simic
2:00 - 3:00pm: Baltic Waves (marking the 65 year anniversary of Baltic migration since the late 1940s)
Anu Mihkelson, PhD
Ryk Bliszccyk
Gabriel Zemkalnis
Elvira Latiss
3:30 - 4:30pm: Australia Day Ambassadors (outstanding citizens of migrant heritage)
Nyadol Nyuon
Stefan Romaniw OAM
Vedran Drakulic
Elizabeth Chong
12pm - 4pm: KOOLIE HAT MAKING AND KITE MAKING
Come along and learn how to make traditional Chinese Koolie hats to protect you from the summer sun or come and learn how to make your very own kite- a pastime invented in China over 2,000 years ago and spread across the globe.

KITE FLYING: At 4pm there will be a group kite flying session on the beach to show off your brand new kite.

12 - 6pm: PIERS GUIDED MIGRATION WALKS

Take a leisurely stroll from Princes Pier along the scenic promenade and Station Pier. Explore significant heritage and cultural landmarks that have shaped the port's rich history of migration.

Discover the many uses of the ports over 150 years as a point of arrival and departure and hear some fascinating stories along the way.

Walks will depart from the Multicultural Arts Victoria Information Marquee at the entrance to Princes Pier at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and will run for approximately 40 minutes.

Guides: Janet Bolitho and Meyer Eidelson.

Places are limited and registrations are essential.

5 - 9:30pm: MAINSTAGE CULTURAL CONCERT & FIREWORKS
Hosted by Mikelangelo

5:00 Sounds of Polynesia
5:20 Welcome to Country
5:30 Saorise - Irish music
6:20 Santa Taranta - music from the south of Italy
7:05 VulgarGrad - Russian convict music
7:50 Compania Glendi Band (Stavrina) - Traditional Greek music and dance
8:35 Jimmy Bosch and The Salsa Kingz - Jazz and Salsa Legend
9:20 Fireworks

12:00pm - 9:30pm: EXHIBITIONS, FOOD & CRAFT
The beautifully restored Princes Pier will come to life with food and crafts from around the world, roving entertainers, storytelling and children's activities.

Upstairs in the historic boathouse, don't miss three informative and fascinating exhibitions by:

Co.As.It - Italian Historical Society

Slovenian Association Melbourne

Bonegilla Migrant Camp community of Benalla