IN PICTURES: Flower crowns and jingling coins, Albany’s very own Harmony Festival

Albany had its very own Harmony Week Festival on Saturday. Organised by Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre Albany, there was a big turnout of all different cultures. The festival was opened by Mahshid Ferdowsian in Farsi, wishing for harmony, diversity, and peace for all. Performances were held on the main stage at the Town Square by local Karen dancers and International Dance Albany collective. Traditional dances from Myanmar, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Portugal lit up the square with a bright flurry of colour and music. Sharing her language, Ms Ferdowsian held a stall, writing people’s names down in elegant Farsi script. Local produce was sold at stalls scattered around the square with handcrafted jam, honey, bags and jewellery all up for offer.