One of the most significant things to happen at this year's Festival of International Understanding is happening behind the scenes.
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Whilst the usual good crowds turned up for the Festival parade in Kendal Street and the carnival held in River Park afterwards, a Cowra Shire Council engaged consultant has been taking a look at the event.
I'm not normally a big fan of asking a consultant anything, but someone definitely had to be asked the question "is the Festival of International Understanding relevant?”.
Cowra Shire Council voted in January this year to spend just over $18,000 on the consultant with the aim of "determining if the objectives of the festival, in its current form are clear, and being met”.
The Festival of International Understanding dates back to the mid 1960s.
It was relevant then but is it relevant now?
There is little doubt a Festival of International Understanding has plenty of merit, especially considering Cowra’s past and the town being the home of the World Peace Bell, but does it attract thousands of people to Cowra.
No!
Does it attract tens of thousands of tourism dollars to the town?
No!
Is it a destination festival?
Definitely not!
Is it a community event?
Yes, but it doesn’t receive a huge amount of community support!
On face value a Festival of International Understanding is a meritorious idea.
However, I personally think it should not be an event Cowra hangs its hat on.
Elements of it can be retained and moved to Cowra’s World Peace Day celebrations.
Invite a guest nation to be the special guest on World Peace Day to lead the bell ringing.
Highlight the food and culture of the guest nation at the dinner held as part of World Peace Day.
The guests could even be asked to plant a tree to go with the trees planted in Brougham Park by other guest nations.
And then we should get to work on a Festival that will attract thousands to the town.
Even little Trundle, with a population of less than 700 has managed to do this with its ABBA festival which going into its sixth year is expecting between 6000 and 7000 to attend this year.
Any thoughts people?