Liverpool’s George street is lit up in the sights, sounds, colours and flavours of South Asia. Starry Sari Night, organised by the Liverpool council in Greater Sydney (20-22 May) is aiming to be the ultimate ‘feast for the senses’.
Talking about the event, Mayor of the Liverpool Council, Ned Mannoun, emphasised how important it was for Council’s events to hold a mirror up to our community, reminding us of who we are:
“Experience South Asia in the South West encompasses everything we want to achieve with Starry Sari Night. We want to deliver an immersive cultural experience in the Liverpool CBD, transporting attendees to the vibrant streets that epitomise South Asia over three days.”
The three day event is also featuring runway shows featuring the Sari in all its glory.
“Recognising the crucial part fashion plays in South Asian culture, Starry Sari Night is featuring a Sari Showcase which captures all the glitz and glamour of an international runway. We’ve partnered with Fabrics of Multicultural Australia to bring to life a Sari fashion show. Models from diverse backgrounds will walk down a 20-metre runway parading original sari, lehenga, dhoti and kurta designs from the local fashion shops that populate George Street, otherwise known as ‘Sari Street’,” said Mayor Mannoun about the event.
Speaking to The Australia Today, Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, CEO, Gandhi creations and Founder of FOMA (Fabrics of Multicultural Australia) mentioned that this was an incredible way to bring communities together and foster intercultural connectivity,
“The Sari Showcase shares journeys of over 30 diverse cultures. The entire festival uplifts the community spirit of our local businesses while sharing Liverpool’s rich cultural tapestry through cuisine, fashion, dance, music, art, and cultural workshops. I commend Liverpool City Council and its vision in cohesively connecting our communities through this ultimate feast for the senses, The Starry Sari Night.”
Residents and visitors from Greater Sydney can also avail the opportunity to sample South Asian street food with many restaurants in Liverpool hosting a stall or keeping their doors open for longer including Dosa Hut Liverpool, Hemani Mehmi Indian Restaurant, Himalaya and Liverpool Sweets.
Meanwhile Council’s Official Beverage Partner, Archie Rose Distilling Co., is headlining the event mixing their ultra-tasty cocktail and mocktail concoctions for everyone to try. They are joined by Australia’s favourite gelato masters, Messina have crafted a special Starry Sari Night creation, inspired by South Asian flavours.
There’s plenty to keep every member of the family entertained from retro arcade games to cultural workshops including henna, drumming and jewellery-making to a Rikshagram to capture memories from the event.
George Street is also lined with more than 20 market stalls for attendees to treat themselves or a loved one to a new authentic piece of clothing, jewellery, or homeware.
According to .idcommunity, Indian is one of the most common ancestries in Liverpool with 6.5 per cent of the population nominating Indian as one of their ancestries in 2016 – an increase of 0.7 per cent in 2011.
“For some members of the community, this event will hold a degree of nostalgia capturing the sights, smells, and tastes of their beloved homeland – from India and Sri Lanka to Pakistan and Nepal to Bhutan and Bangladesh,” said Mayor Mannoun. “For many others, it will be an introduction to a new, interesting and ever-evolving culture.”
Mayor Mannoun added that beyond giving thousands of locals and visitors from Greater Sydney the chance to soak up the best of South Asia in the heart of Liverpool, their aim is also to highlight how special this space really is,
“We are confident people will want to return to George Street months and months after the celebrations are over allowing it assume its rightful place as one of Sydney’s most unique streets and a must-visit destination for South Asian food and fashion.”
Starry Sari Night is funded by the NSW Government through the Festival of Place Open Streets Program.
