By Afraa Kori
Pakenham Library embraced the spirit of Harmony Day with a variety of events on Saturday 22 March, which was designed to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within Cardinia Shire.
Myli’s Literacy Librarian-Connect and Belong, Moira said there were many unique programs, initiatives and new features for Harmony Week.
“Harmony Week is about celebrating all of multiculturalism, everybody from all the different cultures within Australia.“
“Every year we try to run a couple of cultural events during Harmony Week to celebrate different cultures.“
“It’s basically the contribution that people from different cultures make to our community.“
Saturday began with the opening of a solo exhibition by an artist from a different culture, marking the first time Myli hosted such an event.
The “Love Your Library in Your Language“ initiative ran throughout the week, encouraging people to share their appreciation for libraries in their native languages.
Additionally, the library hosted a vibrant Bollywood dance workshop with the Dance Mantra team, offering a fun and engaging way to celebrate Harmony Day through movement and cultural expression.
Leader of Dance Mantra, Sulu is pleased children, parents, and young people joined in from near and far, with one woman traveling all the way from Drouin to participate.
“Any form of dancing is good for mental health and it’s an amazing thing to do for ourselves. For me, no matter how my mood is, as soon as I put the song on and see people enjoying it, my mood is completely different,” she said.
“I think I underestimated the people that came today. I was worried that I would see sad faces and people anxious. But everyone seemed to understand what they needed to do, and they enjoyed it, and created a nice vibe.”
This year, for the first time, Myli featured an artist from a different culture for her solo exhibition.
Berwick’s Warda Sajid is an artist specializing in acrylic paintings inspired by nature and everyday moments. Her work focuses on creating visually striking yet meaningful pieces that transform spaces.
“Firstly, it’s my first exhibition here so it’s one of the big milestones. I feel like I pushed my boundary and came out of my shell,” she said.
“I did an exhibition this year because I feel like I need to now show my work to a wider audience, instead of hiding it. I just want to show that art for me is not just a hobby. It’s my way of conveying my thoughts and emotions. I also want to connect with people on a deeper level.
“Art has always been a part of my life. What began as simple sketches grew into a passion for painting, experimenting, learning, and evolving with each piece.
“My work reflects the things that inspire me: nature, emotions, and untold stories. Each brushstroke refines my style and deepens my connection to art. Today, I create paintings that go beyond decor; they bring meaning and atmosphere to a space.”
