Borderland Experiences: free talk by Najat El Hachmi
In this talk, Spanish author Najat El Hachmi explores what it means to grow up on the border between two cultures and the role that literature played in shaping her identity. Najat was born in Morocco and moved with her family to Catalonia, Spain as a child. Her first book, I am Catalan too, deals with issues of identity and sense of belonging and her second book, The Last Patriarch, looks at the conflict between traditional and new values.
This event is presented by the Consulate General of Spain in Melbourne.
Date: 6-7pm, 26 July 2010
Bookings: 03 9347 1966
Australia’s Muslim Cameleers: Pioneers of the Inland 1860s – 1930s
This exhibition reveals the remarkable contribution that Australia’s first Muslim community, from Afghanistan and British India, made to the exploration and settlement of Australia’s arid interior. Cameleers assisted all major expeditions into Australia’s uncharted interior starting with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860 and have contributed significantly to Australia’s economic and cultural development. Exhibits include fascinating photographs, camel saddles, historic clothing, textiles and original documents.
Date: Until 19 September 2010
Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia
This exhibition explores how the Kurdish culture has survived through adversity, invasion, and division of the Kurds’ traditional lands. Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia examines the traditions at the core of the Kurdish culture that have enabled it to survive, and which Kurds proudly maintain in Australia today. A variety of objects on display include traditional costumes, instruments, hand-made carpets, hand-woven crafts and pewter ware.
Date: Until 12 September 2010
Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering East Timor
This exhibition explores a ritual called Se Matebian, which takes place each year on All Souls Day and honours East Timorese ancestors. It looks at how the East Timorese community in Australia continue to practise this ritual today. Personal stories and reflections of people from the East Timorese community are shared and featured objects include a silver breast plate and head piece worn by elders during ceremonial peace, a silver jewellery box with an ancestral worship home on top, jewellery associated with ancestors, timber statues representing ancestors, hand woven baskets and East Timorese fabrics.
Date: From 19 September 2010
West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit
From spiritual beliefs to daily life, masks to music, cloth to carving, West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit explores the array of vibrant and dynamic cultures of West Africa. Bordered by the Sahara Desert to the north, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, West Africa is an area of tradition and change. This exhibition features over 200 objects from 28 different West African cultures, exploring kingship and authority, carved figures, pattern and adornment, divination, masks and masquerades and trade. West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit is based on a collection of Joel A. and Patricia H. Vanderburg from Otago, New Zealand. The objects were collected from 1964-1975 while living in Nigeria and Ghana (all items legitimately exported).
Date: 12 November 2010 to 29 May 2011
Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm.
Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE. More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum
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