Sign in Subscribe

See the colour of the Murraylands Multicultural Yuntu-Walun Festival

Food, music and dances from around the world have all been showcased in a colourful event on Murray Bridge's riverfront. See the photos.

Peri Strathearn

Peri Strathearn

— 4 min read
See the colour of the Murraylands Multicultural Yuntu-Walun Festival

This story was originally published behind Murray Bridge News’ paywall. Paywalled stories are unlocked four weeks after publication. Can’t wait that long? Subscribe here.

Young martial artists from Murray Bridge’s Panda Warriors show off their skills at the 2021 Murraylands Multicultural Yuntu-Walun Festival. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Food, music and dancing have brought together hundreds of people from every corner of the Murraylands – and the world – at a multicultural celebration.

The Murraylands Multicultural Festival shifted outdoors for 2021 and took on a new name: Yuntu-Walun, Ngarrindjeri words meaning “come together”.

Community members responded by descending on Sturt Reserve in big numbers on Sunday, sampling Greek, Indian and Chinese food and watching performances from various cultures.

There were dances by the Rritjarukar, a Ngarrindjeri dance company; a display by a children’s martial arts group, the Panda Warriors; and a solo hanfu dance by local girl Bella Liu.

Also included were Filipino, Chinese and Latin American dancers; a Karen women’s choir; musicians with Arabic and African influences; members of Murray Bridge’s dragon boat club; and the Royal Australian Navy band.

There was even a tug-of-war.

See more photos from the day below.

Rita Lindsay junior leads the Rritjarukar dancers as they perform a dance named after Nori, the pelican. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Members of Murray Bridge’s Chinese community serve sesame leaves, butterfly crackers and Fujian deep fried pancakes. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Mayor Brenton Lewis told the crowd that immigrants had contributed greatly to Murray Bridge’s recent growth and success.

“I’m very proud of Murray Bridge,” he said.

“I put a lot of (its growth) down to the vigour of our new settlers, our new citizens.

“Our multicultural society ... is helping us every step of the way to be recognised as a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

More than 300 people had chosen to become Australian citizens in Murray Bridge during his time in office, he said.

Gurpreet Kaur and Rasmeet and Jagtar Singh, of Murray Bridge, watch performances at the festival. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Achol Bior Reng Ayak, of Murray Bridge, attends the festival with her children Achiech, Anyiwei, Alek, Abeny and Aluel. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

State MP Jing Lee thanked everyone present for their vibrant, energetic contributions to Murray Bridge's multicultural society.

“When you connect the new migrants’ community with our local community, you will be stronger, better, safer,” she said.

Her colleague Adrian Pederick thanked members of Murray Bridge’s migrant communities for sharing their culture, food and willingness to work.

Federal MP Tony Pasin, too, noted that Australia was a stronger nation for the contributions of immigrants.

Ya Ya, Vanessa Xing and Shoham and Shafiul Alam, of Murray Bridge, explore the event. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Unity College students Ayan Atif and Safari Donoghue sell slushies and fairy floss on their own initiative. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

More multicultural celebrations will be held at schools and in workplaces around the region on or around Harmony Day this Sunday, March 21.

The date is known globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Uncle Moogy Sumner welcomes all to Ngarrindjeri country. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Bella Liu performs a hanfu dance in traditional dress. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
A member of the Chonkai Latin Folkloric Dance Group performs. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Locals and visitors join forces for a tug-of-war organised by Murray Bridge’s Chinese community. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Todd and Aliya Eglinton, Chris Brown and Lin Lin Luo, of Murray Bridge, take in the festivities. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Locals Heather Muirhead, Havan Kazi and Eman Atif watch the show. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Emcee Stephen Walker introduces another act. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Atif Liaqat and Eman Atif enjoy the festival on Sunday. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Disclosure: The author accepted a bag of sesame leaves, some Fujian deep-friend pancakes and a slushie from stall operators, despite his protests. Each was delicious.

Subscribe now

Read more