Steppe into Russian festival

GREATER Dandenong’s Russian community is set to celebrate its cultural heritage with a festival later this month.
The Russian Cultural Festival is organised by the Russian Welfare Society in Dandenong.
The society is gearing up for the two-day event beginning next Friday, 19 May, and the council’s community development officer, Janene Blanchfield Brown, said heritage, food, craft, music and song would be the focus.
“Friday is a day dedicated to Russian seniors and they will be travelling from across Melbourne to meet with friends and enjoy the piroshki,” she said.
“Piroshki is a traditional Russian bun filled with meat or potato or cabbage.” Ms Blanchfield Brown said the Saturday would be a family day featuring young students from the society’s Russian School, young adults and professional entertainers.
“A feature of the day will be the Russian cuisine, craft and many community groups such as the Russian Scouts, The Russian Orthodox Church, The Russian Imperial Order, The Russian Women’s Health Group, Russian Scouts and Russian House,” she said. The Russian Cultural Festival will be held on 19 and 20 May at the Russian Centre, 164 Kirkham Road, Dandenong.