Printer-friendly VersionAround the World in 30 lounges Christchurch
On March 2 OEA participated in the launch of "Around the World in 30 Lounges" at Canterbury Museum. Between 2 March and 7 May 2007, 30 different ethnic communities from Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, the Indian subcontinent and Europe will exhibit typical lounges from their countries of origin.
Six Lounges will be exhibited at one time for a period of two weeks and then another six will rotate until all communities have displayed over a 10 week period. The launch of "Lounges" was attended by over 200 people. Key note speakers were Dr Paddy Austin, Hon. Ruth Dyson, Minister of Disability Issues and Mervin Singham, Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs.
The first six lounges will be on display until March 11 - they are Egypt, Somalia, Italy, Samoa, Afghanistan, Korea. The second six Lounges will open on 14 March - they are Zimbabwe, India, Thailand, Fiji, Iraq and the Phillipines.
Around the world is funded by the Todd Foundation Centenary Fund 2006 and produced with supplimentary financial support and assistance from the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Families and Communities Services (FACS) Settling In and PLAINS FM.
Running parallel to the Museum exhibition, the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu will host "Around the World in 3 Discussions" a series of public debates considering the themes of Multiculturalism, Migration, and National identity.
Around the World Discussions
The first of these is "titled "The Changing Face of New Zealand" and will take place in the Gallery Amphitheatre on 15 March at 7pm, the second discussion on "National identity" will take place on 19 April (same place and time) and the third "Migration and the Global Society" will take place on 17 May.
Each discussion will feature four prominent commentators drawn from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. Each commentator will provide a perspective and then be asked to engage with the audience on some of the benefits and challenges of multiculturalism. All members of the public are welcome.
Documentary interviews
PLAINS FM is producing and broadcasting short documentary interviews with each of the 30 participating communities in conjunction with this event. Dr Joanna Cobbley will also cover the development and evolution of the exhibition and Around the World concept on her radio programme, "The Museum Detective" the first part of which airs on Saturday 10 March at 4.30 on 96.9 PLAINS FM. (Audio Downloads and Podcasting www.plainsfm.org.nz).
The OEA has been pleased to collaborate with Canterbury Museum on this very visible and physical display of diversity in our region and to assist the Museum to extend their relationships with ethnic communities. We are also very excited that the Christchurch Art Gallery has taken such a prominent role in promoting public dialogue on multiculturalism - which will also be produced with the assistance of OEA.