Small seed grows into bumper harvest for Albanian festival

By Murray Silby

Mar 6, 2023

**Bigger than ever:** Shepparton Albanian Moslem Society president Reg Qemal is expecting the biggest Albanian Harvest Festival yet at Queen’s Gardens this month. Photo by Holly Daniel

A social event organised almost a quarter of a century ago to help Shepparton’s Albanian community to maintain social connections is now one of the region’s biggest events and set to return for its 24th year later this month.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Albanian Harvest Festival will again be held at Shepparton’s Queen’s Gardens for what organisers say is shaping as the biggest event yet.

The festival was developed as a way for the Albanian community to celebrate its culture and help Albanian families in the area to meet socially, but since the organising committee moved it into a more central location a few years ago, the cultural mix of people attending the festival has broadened considerably.

“As a result, our committee would very much like to encourage a more diverse crowd to come along and help us celebrate our culture by sharing our entertainment, food and traditions,” Shepparton Albanian Moslem Society president Reg Qemal said.

“The ongoing success of local cultural events such as Converge and the St Georges Road Food Festival demonstrate that there is a keen interest in people travelling to Shepparton to experience a multicultural event.”

With an increasing number of locals attending each year, the festival is also on the national calendar for the Albanian community, attracting visitors from around the country.

Mr Qemal said the Albanian community had been in the region for 100 years, and the festival showcased the culture unlike any other event in Australia.

“As a first generation Australian, it’s (our culture) something that we’re proud of,” he said.

“It’s in its 24th year, that’s open to the general public, and everyone comes along and and celebrates our culture, the harvest, and that brings people together, which is what we thrive to do, in peace and harmony.“

The free event will entertain audiences with traditional Albanian music and dancing, as well as entertainment for the family and a kids’ zone.

Traditional Albanian food will be available for purchase, along with a fruit and vegetable market, which will offer locally grown produce at wholesale prices.