The festival aims to celebrate diversity through food, music, dance and interactive experiences, and transforms The Levee into a global village.

Wananchi Newcastle (Kenya) community president Zac Ekandi said it was an opportunity for different cultures to connect and share.

“The Maitland Riverlights Multicultural Festival has been great. It’s a wonderful event in providing a platform for communities to come together and showcase their cultures,” Mr Ekandi said.

“The festival has really provided a different opportunity for communities, like ours, to communicate and engage.

“We will have games and traditional dishes, and some tea that Kenya is famous for.”

A number of cultures will be represented including Thai, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, South African and German.

 The program includes many activities such as live entertainment, dancing, language classes and lantern making.

“In a way, the festival provides a voice for a lot of small communities,” Mr Ekandi said.

“It’s integration at its best. We wish there could be more festivals like this to help to break barriers.”

 The free festival will be held on Saturday, October 13 from 3pm to 9pm at The Levee in Central Maitland.

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