Lebanon Carnival 2021

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-123720

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Lebanon Carnival 2021

Mr MARK COURE (OatleyMinister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Seniors)

——Speaker, for as long as I can remember, I have had the privilege of attending the Cedars of Lebanon Folkloric Groups' Lebanon Carnival. Last year, I attended their 44th Anniversary Celebration at Granville Town Hall where attendees were treated to Lebanese live music, dances, drama and folklore. Speaker, I have spoken regularly about Elie Akouri in this House, and I would once again like to thank Elie for his organisation of this event. Like many community groups and events, the Lebanon Carnival faced the challenge of ever-changing dates due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Given these ever-evolving challenges, the resulting event was even that much more impressive. Speaker, the Cedars of Lebanon Folkloric Group was established in 1977 by Elie who was a teacher and choreographer of the Lebanese Dabki dance. Like many successful migrant stories, Elie migrated alone to Australia speaking little English but had a head full or dreams and determination. The group seeks to keep the community social and connected through Lebanese folkloric Dabki dance to all ages and cultures. Speaker, I congratulate Elie and his team on their 44th Anniversary and look forward to attending the 45th and beyond.