Spit-roasted meats, plenty of food, fun, dance, and entertainment are on the menu for the European Festival on 6 September. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Neighbouring cultural clubs in Turner – the White Eagle Polish Club, Australian Croatian Club and Alliance Française – are teaming up for the return of the European Festival – a cultural celebration of Canberra’s European communities.
Inspired by the success of the Canberra Multicultural Festival, the three neighbouring clubs launched the European Festival in 2022 and followed it up with another successful event in 2023. After a break last year, the festival is back and bigger than ever!
Alliance Française Director Nabila Aliane told Region the festival is an opportunity to share culture with the community.
“We want to show how diverse we are and come together to share a good time,” she said.
“These events help to strengthen the relationships between the clubs and all the local communities.”
There will be over 50 different stallholders, cultural clubs, and entertainment groups participating across the three venues, offering a range of foods, crafts, music, dance, and children’s activities throughout the day.
The Polish White Eagle Club’s Wielkopolska Dance Group at a previous festival. Photo: Andrew Bajkowski.
At the Croatian Club, the O’Connor Knights Soccer Club will have pig and lamb on a spit, and there will also be smallgoods, wines and other Croatian delicacies for sale. The Croatian Ethnic School will be selling traditional cakes and performing a special Father’s Day recitation.
Many other European cultural clubs and organisations are also getting involved in the festival, with stallholders from Germany to Turkiye, the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries, Italy, Spain, and more.
Alliance will be hosting a “BBQ à la Française” – French-style sausage served on a baguette – and pouring drinks by the glass at their bar. There will also be stalls selling chocolate, cheese, wine, and truffles.
And of course, there are some friendly rivalries too!
Australian Croatian Club President laughs as he points out that Napoleon’s army invaded Croatia, but they’re all friends now.
“Our cultures are all interwoven because we all share a history. And European people have made a significant impact on Australia and Canberra’s history too,” he said.
“It’s really good for younger kids, who are maybe the second generation to be born here, to feel connected to their roots and their culture, and to celebrate that.”
There are plans afoot for those historic rivalries to be settled by a friendly crepe-off, with each country presenting their best crepe for tasting by a special guest judge!
This year marks the third time the three clubs have run the European Festival, which was first held in 2022. Photo: supplied.
The European Festival will be held on Saturday, 6 September from 10 am to 5 pm at 68 McCaughey Street, Turner. Entry is free. RSVP to the Facebook event for updates, or visit White Eagle Polish Club, Australian Croatian Club and Alliance Française for more details.
