The Lithuanian Community settled in Bankstown over 50 years ago where we established our first Lithuanian Club in East Bankstown. In 2006 we relocated to 16 Meredith St Bankstown were we now have a smaller “boutique” club know as The Meredith Club or Lithuanian Club “Dainava”. The club has a large function room that can hold over 150 people plus has a number of smaller seminar rooms available for hire upon request.
The Festival is a biennial event, during which the Australian Lithuanian Community comes together to debate the Community’s affairs and to celebrate their Australian Lithuanian heritage in a festival of cultural and sports activities. The Festival is typically held between Christmas and the New Year and the Sydney Lithuanian Community has been honoured with the task of hosting it in 2014.
The functions will be held at the Sydney Lithuanian Club “Dainava” in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown and venues close by. People are welcome to come and try our delicious National dishes for a meagre cost such as “cepelinai” (potato meat dumplings) and “balandėliai” (cabbage rolls) two of our most famous national dishes. We also celebrate Christmas eve with twelve traditional fish dishes which signify the Last Supper accompanied with delicious soups & salads commencing at 6pm for $35 on 24/12/14. Book early to avoid disappointment. We welcome you to experience some of our traditions. Please phone the club on 9708 1414 or contactus@lithuanianclub.org.au
The Festival was first held in Sydney in 1960. It now typically rotates between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. It was held once in Canberra and twice in Geelong. Festival events include choral concerts, folk dancing, literary events, youth concerts, theatre performances, art exhibitions and sports competitions. The Festival provides the venue for meetings of the Australian Lithuanian Federal Council and other community bodies. Participants and visitors come from all over Australia and from overseas: Lithuania, USA, Canada and other countries.
Bankstown has always been “our home” for the Lithuanian Community writes Eleanor Kains. I was born in Bankstown, went to school in the local area and have worked most of my life in the Bankstown area and have always lived in the City of Bankstown. It is a great place to live and work. Bankstown city has amazing parks and wonderful meeting places, restaurants and shopping centres to suit everyones needs.
On Saturday 27/12/14 we have our opening ceremony for the Festival at 2.30pm at Condell Park Stadium, Third Ave Bankstown for $10 entry adults & $5 for children we welcome you to attend. Special artists performing will be “Sadunai” a folk group from Zarasai, Lithuania. Sunday 28/12/14, from 2pm-4pm the Lithuanian Ballet, Song and Culture afternoon will be held at the Lithuanian Club 16 Meredith St Bankstown entry donation only. Sunday 28/12/14, 6.30pm the National Dancing is being held at Condell Park Basketball stadium, Third Ave Condell Park $15 entry only, 12yrs and under for free. Dancers from various States of Australia and overseas will be performing. Monday 29th from 12pm- 3pm we are having a “Youth Talent ” event – Hollywood theme $10p/p entry which will be held at the Lithuanian Club, 16 Meredith St Bankstown. Participants need to be of Lithuanian heritage. Tuesday 30/12/14 the Choir Festival is being held in the new Brian Brown Theatre corner Chapel Rd & Rickard Rd Bankstown adult $20 entry & students $10entry. Lithuanian choirs from interstate will also be performing as well as our international guests “Sadunai”. The Arts & Crafts events (entry – donation only) will be held in the foyer of our new Library and Knowledge Centre in Bankstown. The opening is on Monday 29/12/14 at 12pm until 5pm and on Tuesday 30/12/14 from 9am. You will get to see the many talented arts and crafts entries from many participants Australia wide. If you are lucky you may be able to purchase an original work of art.
From 27/12/14 until 31/12/14 there will be many sporting events held at the Condell Park Basketball Stadium which you are welcome to attend for a small entry fee. Lithuanian have an amazing reputation for playing basketball as well as many other sports. There will be other sports played at various venues throughout Bankstown.
I am proud to say that we are also providing much needed business for our local accommodation providers as well as supporting our local businesses. We have advertised where everything is and that everything is conveniently located. We also welcome the Community to attend our New Years Ball that will include food and entertainment for only $100pp. No need to travel into the city. New Years eve will be celebrated at The Emporium Function Centre, South Terrace Bankstown.
The week of events is very costly and all money made – if any, goes back into the Community to support other on-going cultural events for the Lithuanian Community Australia wide. For details of events & tickets please see “facebook” – ALD 2014 Sydney or contact by email ald2014sydney@gmail.com
We welcome you all to attend some or all of these amazing events.
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