ALCASA members and friends had a wonderful time on Sunday 1 November in Rundle Mall celebrating and experiencing the Arabic language and culture. It was the second time for ALCASA at the biennial South Australian Multicultural Festival. Unlike our previous experience as a stall holder, this year we organised two hours of activities for Festival goers to participate in.
First, we run a number of simultaneous activities for one hour in the festival activity area. The talented Linda Bell from Modern Henna drew exquisite oriental shapes with her henna cones. Dedicated members of ALCASA helped people to write their names in Arabic and offered each of them a crafty name tag in Arabic to take home. A food challenge, provided Festival goers with the opportunity to discover some main ingredients used in the Arabic traditional cuisine. There was also the opportunity to play the derbake (a small drum) and to make one for children to take home.
Our second activity was exclusively run by the ALCASA Arabic Story Reading In Adelaide, Children’s Group. Led by Hassan and Nadia, the children delighted the audience by playing traditional Arabic games that they usually play in their monthly meetings. Festival goers were invited to join in.
The third activity was an awesome Belly dancing workshop offered by ALCASA’s great supporter The Belly Dance Academy of Nayima Hassan. At first, Nayima performed a couple of solos to the delight of the large number of people who gathered around the wide activity area to enjoy the show. Then, about 20 young girls twirled and shimmied happily guided by Nayima and her well designed instructions and moves made to captivate the attention of all, but particularly the young children.
It was a great family fun day for all. Many thanks Multicultural SA for organising such a vibrant and colourful event.
Fayrouz Ajaka