A FEAR that Western Australia is gradually losing its rich mix of cultures has driven Franco Smargiassi to keep a multicultural youth talent show going for more than a decade.
The WA Multicultural Association vice-president founded the free, volunteer-run show in 2015 to encourage young people to celebrate their cultural heritage rather than allow it to disappear through generations.
“My main concern is that we are slowly and gradually losing our wonderful rich cultures that we have,” Mr Smargiassi said.
He came to Australia in the early 1950s, when the policy of assimilation was still in place, and believes its influence can still be seen in Australian society.
“Rather than saying ‘Let’s all be wonderful Aussies, we are all Australians.’… that was not the case, and that has been maintained.
“That is one of the main reasons why I put on the show, to encourage young people to be proud of their culture.”
The show returns on October 25 at Churchlands Senior High School with 27 performances representing cultures from across WA, including Scottish Highland dancing, a Greek musical performance, South American dancing and, for the first time, an Indigenous Aboriginal dance group opening the showcase.
Mr Smargiassi said giving young people a stage to express their heritage was an important way of keeping those cultures visible.
Among the performers will be 11 children aged six to 14 from D’Nakka Fitness and Dance, presenting an Indian mixed-genre dance choreographed by Amutha Kumar.
Ms Kumar said performing before an audience helped young people develop confidence as well as their skills.
“Audiences attending the event boosts [the children’s] confidence and uplifts their skills. I feel that is something that we want the younger generation to follow the trend of: building confidence by performing, going up on stage in front of others. It is so important for them,” Ms Kumar said.
The WA Performance School will present a K-pop routine representing Korean culture, with choreographer Elizabeth Lima saying the school wanted its students to have as many opportunities as possible to perform.
“We’re participating in the show because we love for our students to have as many opportunities possible to perform,” Ms Lima said.
The show is at Churchlands Senior High School on October 25 from 1pm.
by IMOGEN WALSH