By Kath Gannaway
Locals and visitors enjoyed a feast of culture and community at the second Benvenuti Festival in Seville East on Sunday 13 March.
The festival, hosted by the Yarra Valley Italian Cultural Group and the held at Killara Estate, drew good crowds with an increasing number of people making their way to the valley from around Melbourne.
Award-winning country music singer, Kayla Dwyer, was a popular guest performer, along with the Kalula Ukulele Band, Indian dancers, Celtic pipes, Swedish folk music, Australian poetry and ballads creating the multi-cultural celebration that the festival promotes.
Other highlights included an exhibition of pyrography by Joseph Galloway and cooking, tapestry and bonsai demonstrations.
Organising committee member Luigi Fotia said the festival was a great success with people staying for a good part of the day just relaxing and enjoying the entertainment and children’s activities, along with the local wines and produce.
Mr Fotia said an interview with Tony Tadio on Italian Radio prompted a number of new visitors from across Melbourne.
“A lot of people said they never knew a place like this (Killara Estate) existed and said they will be back,” Mr Fotia said.
“We had Tonia Todman doing the cooking demonstrations and another group of Italian girls from Pascoe Vale and Essendon areas who had so much fun demonstrating their pastas and recipes.”
Proceeds of the gold-coin-donation entry fee were still being tallied as the Mail went to press, but Mr Fotia said he believed the Seville CFA would be very happy with the generosity of people.
