Traditional Albanian dancers entertain the crowd at the Albanian Harvest Festival held in Shepparton’s Queen’s Gardens on April 6.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Though a crisp autumn wind blew, you could feel the warmth in the air as people greeted friends and family with a peck on each cheek at Shepparton’s Albanian Harvest Festival on Sunday.
The annual festival, held in the Queen’s Gardens on April 6, drew visitors to the city from as far as Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney to enjoy food, dancing and festivities.
There were music and dance performances, market stalls, traditional Albanian food, Albanian merchandise and costumes, carnival activities for the kids, a petting zoo, a holiday to Albania raffled, opportunities to send aid boxes to Albania, exhibitor displays and an appearance by Victorian Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt.
“Events like this show us the strength of multicultural Victoria, where people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate their heritage,” Ms Stitt said.
“The Albanian community in Shepparton is a shining example of this spirit, and I’m proud that the Labor government continues to support these gatherings through our funding.
“Ensuring Victoria’s diverse communities have every opportunity to celebrate their culture is key to strengthening social connection, inviting all Victorians to learn about and embrace different cultures.”
The minister had travelled from her home in the western suburbs of Melbourne to visit Sunday’s festival and the recently upgraded Shepparton Albanian Mosque later in the afternoon, both of which her government department helped to fund.
News photographer Megan Fisher was at the festival to capture the action.
Traditional Albanian dancers entertained the crowd.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, who is of Albanian heritage, speaks at the harvest festival.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Dancers delighted the crowd.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Many Goulburn Valley residents and people from far beyond turn up to watch the dancing at the festival each year.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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The crowd gathers to hear speakers.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Dancers were dressed in traditional Albanian costume.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Dancers were dressed in traditional Albanian costume.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt visited Shepparton during the Albanian Harvest Festival, a festival her Victorian Government department helped to fund.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Music and dancing was a huge part of the Albanian Harvest Festival in Shepparton at the weekend.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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The Albanian Harvest Festival is an annual event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Traditional Albanian dance is not a sight seen every day in Shepparton.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt stopped by the Albanian Harvest Festival before visiting the Albanian mosque to see the upgrades that have been made to it.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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A huge crowd enjoyed festivities on the overcast autumn day.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Members of the public joined in Albanian traditional dancing.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Jason Celia, 4, had his face painted at the festival.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Albanian Society president Reg Qemal, Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt and City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Nikolas Celia, 5, enjoyed the festival with his family.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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The traditional Albanian dance demonstrations created a warm atmosphere.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Isla, 4, and Ciara, 3, Celia.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Rod Blundell visited the Albanian Harvest Festival at the Queen’s Gardens.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Traditional Albanian music featured at the festival.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Savannah Shemshedin, 10, Porsha Sali, 9, Summer Diker, 10, and Paris Sali, 6, were enjoying the event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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The Queen’s Gardens was cordoned off for the event, with security guards controlling the crowd in and out and performing bag checks to ensure patron safety.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
