An Indonesian umbrella dance, German fairytales and a traditional Japanese performance, were just a few acts to feature at the Students Celebrating Languages and Cultures Festival this week.

The cultural performances took place at The Capital Theatre in View Street and students from 11 central and northern Victorian schools attended.

A group of grade 4 and 5 students from St Therese’s Catholic Primary in Kennington wowed audiences with their traditional Indonesian umbrella dance.

Project officer and organiser Marlene Dingle said the festival was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their language skills through performance.

Guest speakers also took to the stage to tell their stories and talked about why learning other languages was important for students to become more culturally aware.

“Learning another language opens one’s mind to new ideas and new ways of looking at the world,” Mrs Dingle said.

The event was supported by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in a joint initiative with the Catholic Education Office Sandhurst, the Loddon Mallee Region of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Independent Schools Victoria.

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