At BestStart Onehunga, our whānau came together for a vibrant cultural festival filled with performances, shared kai, and creative activities. The day celebrated unity in diversity, showcasing the pride and traditions of our community.
What an incredible day we had recently at BestStart Onehunga, as our whānau came together for a truly special cultural festival! The spirit of the day was beautifully captured by Mahatma Gandhi's words: “A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”
This sentiment came alive as families from various backgrounds dressed up and represented their respective cultures, showcasing traditional attire and accessories that are a source of pride and connection to their roots.
As part of the event, each family brought along traditional food to share, allowing everyone to enjoy a delicious feast of flavours and aromas from different parts of the world.
One of the highlights was the children's performances of music and movement. The young participants displayed their talents with confidence, adding youthful energy and enthusiasm to the event. Proud parents watched on, capturing every moment on camera to preserve the memories.
There were also activities for parents to enjoy. A playdough table invited them to get hands-on, crafting traditional foods with colourful playdough. Another activity that caught attention was the collaborative making of a korowai. Parents and children wrote their values and what they liked best about BestStart Onehunga on feathers, which were then added to the korowai, symbolising unity and shared values.
The ancient Indian folk art of rangoli gave everyone a chance to express creativity, filling intricate patterns with bright colours and adding to the festive atmosphere.
The festival truly showed us that every tradition tells the story of those who came before us. It was a day where diversity was not just acknowledged but celebrated, through shared experiences, delicious food, and creative expression.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this cultural festival a resounding success, strengthening our bonds and supporting our inclusive community at BestStart Onehunga.