Organisers of the newly created Friendship Festival in Lismore are calling on people to take part in a ‘Piazza in the Park’ in 2016 to celebrate Italian culture.
The Friendship Festival will pay tribute to Lismore’s ‘friendship relationship’ with Conegliano in northern Italy with a marketplace festival in Spinks Park on June 26 next year.
Similar to a sister city relationship, the friendship relationship with Conegliano began in 1989, and members of the Conegliano community will be invited to Lismore next year to rekindle the civic friendship.
Conegliano mayor Floriano Zambon recently said he was excited to revive links between the two cities and hopes for future exchange visits to share cultural and business interests.
The Friendship Festival will honour Lismore’s connection with northern Italy as well as the contribution made by Italian settlers to the district over the last 100 years.
The Piazza in the Park will be held near the Italian monument in Spinks Park with people invited to come and ‘be an Italian for a day’.
The event is auspiced by the Italo-Australian Sports and Recreation Club and Chair of the Italo Club Board Daniel Rosolen said he is keen to encourage greater awareness of local Italian heritage.
‘I am hoping that by bringing this lively event into the city to complement the iconic Lismore Lantern Parade in June, that more residents and visitors will enjoy the city’s renowned cultural life,’ he said.
The Piazza in the Park will feature entertainment, market stalls, workshops, games and food, introducing people to Italian musicians, artists, and producers of Italian foods such as olives, limoncello, pizza, pasta and coffee.
Organisers are currently looking for musicians, food sellers and producers as well as Italians who wish to run workshops or activities in traditional Italian pursuits.
To get involved, phone Italo Club board member Julie de Nardi on 6624 3506 or email [email protected].
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