Respect and tolerance, consensus and openness is the theme of the Buddha’s Birthday and Multicultural Festival this weekend (April 14-15) at Elizabeth Quay.
The free annual event will return to Perth to celebrate the most auspicious day on the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birthday of Buddha more than 2,500 years ago in northern India.
The festival offers a variety of entertainment for all ages including culturally diverse performances, vegetarian food stalls, calligraphy sessions, tea and incense appreciation, tai chi and meditation sessions, arts, cultural displays, and fireworks.
Up to 40,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which has been supported with $15,000 through the Office of Multicultural Interests’ Community Grants Program.
Since its inception in 1998, the festival has become an iconic feature on Perth’s community calendar, bringing together the multicultural and multi-faith community of Western Australia.