How Sydney’s cultural festivals cultivate a sense of hope and optimism for Australia’s future

Research finds cultural festivals are meaningful events for the communities they celebrate, as well as enriching experiences for others in attendance.
The Africultures Festival. A black woman tying a hair and on a white woman at the festival with people around them.

Multiculturalism is central to Australia’s identity, with more than half the population coming from overseas or having parents who did.

Most Australians view multiculturalism positively. However, many others experience a declining sense of belonging and ongoing discrimination. When surveyed in 2024, one in three migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds reported dealing with racial, ethnic or religious discrimination in the past 12 months.

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