Albanian fest a cultural hit

– Shaun Inguanzo
MORE than 1000 people braved hot conditions to take part in Greater Dandenong’s Albanian Festival last Sunday at Dandenong Park.
The crowd, consisting mostly of Greater Dandenong’s Albanian community, enjoyed a full day of eating, dancing and relaxing which was complemented by a hot summer’s day as many festival-goers sought respite in the shade of the park’s trees.
The festival was organised by the Australian Albanian Community Association, with stalls and entertainment provided by a mixture of Greater Dandenong and wider Victorian Albanian communities.
Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti, who is of Albanian descent, said typically the festival was packed with more people, but a big wedding, and a period of mourning for the death of a community member, had affected the number of people present.
Cultural foods were cooked by Dandenong South’s Dandenong Thunder Soccer Club, while a variety of Albanian-themed clothing stalls were set up and manned by community members.