The International Eid Food Festival is being celebrated on October 11 this year at Kelston Community Centre, Awaroa Park, whereas the women-only evening will be celebrated on October 10. Generally organised around the Eid festival, this year the unpredictable weather conditions delayed the festival.
The festival provides women from diverse ethnicities an opportunity to come together to network and share stories. A line of good speakers has also added to this years’ event.
The festival day on October 11 will feature savoury food sold by enterprising and diverse communities. There will be Halaal foods from countries such as India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Fiji and Somalia along with a range of vegetarian dishes and New Zealand’s popular BBQ’s and chips.
Anne Degia-Pala of EthNix Links and Advocacy Network (ELAN) has been instrumental yet again in bringing this diversity event in the spirit of sharing and peace building. ELAN is an advocacy group promoting the wellbeing of ethnic women and families in Auckland.
"Community engagement is done best at ground level”, says Anne.
Anne is no stranger in bringing festivals to Auckland. She initiated the Diwali Festival in West Auckland in 2004 as Chair of the Waitakere Ethnic Board and also project managed the Race Relations Day in 2006.
The event is supported by the Auckland Council Henderson-Massey Local Board and various community organisations.