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The 10th Tauranga Regional Ethnic Festival is just round the corner!
If you've been to any of the previous festivals, you know how much fun they can be! This year's event promises to be bigger, better, and even more fun than ever before!
Tauranga has changed a lot since last year, and there's more ethnic diversity within our community, with more than seventy ethnicities now living in our city. So, there are many more food stalls, the costume parade is bigger, featuring African drums and Scottish bagpipes and other new items. The arts and crafts stands are bigger and fuller, and the stage performances are more exciting, with lots of opportunities for audience participation.
The old favourites are still there: bouncy castle and discovery tent for the kids, lifestyle sports, service providers such as the Cancer Society with sun-smart education, and the TCC Zero Waste Programme with advice on best ways to recycle and save the environment.Visit the 10th Tauranga Regional Ethnic Festival and celebrate our diverse community! Everyone is welcome. Bring a chair or blanket, Immerse the family in the atmosphere of fun, food, music and dance! Come spend the day with us and see the world... in Tauranga!
Date: Saturday March 7, 2009
Venue: Wharepai Reserve, Tauranga
Entry: Adults – $5. Children under 12 – free
For more information, contact the organising committee team leader Ewa Fenn on 07-577-1644 or 027-670-0700
Language classes are starting!
TREC brings classical Bengali music to Tauranga
CLASSICAL Bengali music will be the subject of a special afternoon chamber concert being staged by the Tauranga Ethnic Council this Sunday March 1.
In India the work of composer and Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore (1861 _ 1941) is seen in much the same way as Europeans regard music of Brahms or Beethoven.
Also respected as a poet, playwright, philosopher and artist, Tagore was knighted in 1915, but later renounced the honour in protest at action of the British Army in what is known as the Jalianwala Massacre in 1919.
``Rabindra Music'' as his unique style of composition is known in India is still widely played and enjoyed there.
Perry grant saves festival
A $10,000 grant by the Perry Foundation towards running costs of next month's annual Tauranga Ethnic Festival has lifted a huge weight from the shoulders of festival organisers.
``We are absolutely delighted,'' says Tauranga Ethnic Council chairwoman Ewa Fenn. ``We had not decided to abandon the event. But it was certainly in jeopardy.''
Last year the festival received financial backing from the Bay Trust and Lotteries Commission.
Ethnic Council moves to new premises
The Tauranga regional ethnic council will begin the Chinese Year of the Ox by moving into bigger premises across the street in the Historic Village’s Forresters Hall.
The Ethnic Council will open across the
street on February 1, and with the extra room the TRAC is promoting
the services of its multi-lingual JPs.
“We have services of three JPs offering services in five languages available to work from our office at the Historic Village at 17th Avenue,” says council president Ewa Fenn.
The Justices of the Peace will be available as required during the ethnic council’s office open hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 2pm or at an agreed time.
Language classes starting soon!
Language Classes Term 1
Russian –
Tuesday 7-9pm
Tutor Iryna Stewart
Introduction to Russian language and culture.
8 weeks course starting 17th February cost $80
----
Spanish –
Thursday 9.30– 11.30
Tutor Elsa Stewart
Classes tailor made to requirement by a qualified teacher
We provide teachers who native speakers of the language they teach, small groups, programme may be tailored to requirements.
We will endeavour to run classes in other languages in the future.
For bookings please ring the office: 5716419,
(if not attended, leave a message and we will get back to you)
or
e-mail enquiries@ethnictauranga.org
About Tauranga Regional Ethnic Council
Tauranga Regional Ethnic Council Inc. (TREC) is an incorporated society managed by a committed group of volunteers who have a desire to promote and protect the interest of ethnic groups which make up New Zealand's multicultural society. Any ethnic group, society, organisation or individual is welcome to become a member of TREC.
Aims and Objectives
- To promote and protect the interests of many different ethnic groups which make New Zealand a multicultural society.
- To raise the consciousness among the ethnic groups of the status of the Maori people as the Tangata Whenua and their rights under the Treaty of Waitangi.
- To assist Government and local Government agencies consult with ethnic groups in Tauranga.
- To provide a forum for the ethnic groups to share experiences and friendships.
- To enable the ethnic groups to give each other mutual support and strength to deal with issues which affect them, to speak with one voice on those issues.
- To protect the democratic rights of ethnic groups to participate in decisions which affect them.
- To enable the ethnic groups to openly express their commitment to New Zealand while at the same time, protecting their ethnic heritage and identify.
For further information, please contact any of the members of the 2008 — 2009 Executive Committee:
Ewa Fenn, President. ewa.fenn@ethnictauranga.org
Barry Reid, Vice President. barry.reid@ethnictauranga.org
Amita Shah, Treasurer. amita.shah@ethnictauranga.org
Ann Kerewaro, Secretary. ann.kerewaro@ethnictauranga.org
Or visit our office at:
Historic Village, 17th Avenue West, Tauranga. Tel./Fax: 07 5716419
