Chanukah - Pillars of Light

Pillars of Light Festival emphasises the values of compassion, kindness, and the pursuit of understanding and tolerance, and is designed to transcend religious and cultural boundaries and becomes a unifying force for all attendees!

The Ark Centre presents Pillars of Light, a prominent community event celebrating the festival of Chanukah, bringing together Victorians from all walks of Melbourne’s vibrant and multicultural life. Now in its fifth year, Pillars of Light is a joyous 5-day event, featuring a myriad of faith and cultural communities joining us each night and includes music, dance, art, and storytelling to provide a unique opportunity for attendees to experience different customs and traditions.

It’s through such community events that we aim build bridges of understanding and strengthen the bonds that unite our diverse and multicultural community.

Pillars of Light creates an environment where all individuals, regardless of their faith or cultural heritage, feel welcome, included and valued.

The Program

Wednesday 25 December | 7pm – 9.30pm
Nightly Partner: Rampersand
Principal Partners: Gandel Foundation, Fed Square, Victorian Government, Pratt Foundation, Jack & Robert Smorgon Foundation

• MC – Kano Ravalji (Victorian Multicultural Commission)
• Speakers –
  • Vivienne Nguyen
  • Dr Majula O’Connor
• Shamash Lighter – TBC
• Menorah Lighters –
  • AMWA Group
• Performers –
  • Dov Farkas with Simon & Adam Starr
  • Alma Zygier with Simon Starr
  • Adam Starr & Klezma + Amy
  • Wala is Life

Thursday 26 December | 7pm – 9.30pm
Nightly Partner: VIC Health
Principal Partners: Gandel Foundation, Fed Square, Victorian Government, Pratt Foundation, Jack & Robert Smorgon Foundation

• MC – Sylvia Coombe
• Speakers –
  • Nayran Tieberi
  • Elaine Pratley
  • Julian Hill MP
• Shamash Lighter – TBC
• Menorah Lighters –
  • TBC
• Performers –
  • Katarina Driu Fijian Dance Group
  • Noa Coates & Ines Gotmaker with Simon & Adam Starr
  • Fifth of Nisan
  • Ostralishe Kapelye

Friday 27 December | 4pm – 6.30pm
Nightly Partner: AMF
Principal Partners: Gandel Foundation, Fed Square, Victorian Government, Pratt Foundation, Jack & Robert Smorgon Foundation

• MC – Guido Oliveira
• Speakers –
  • Vedran Drakulic OAM (CEO, Gandel Philanthropy)
  • Nikhita Soni
  • TBC
• Shamash Lighter – TBC
• Menorah Lighters –
  • Guido Oliveira and children
• Performers –
  • Simon & Adam Starr
  • Sing Australia Choir
  • Kabalat Shabbat – St Kilda Shul

Sunday 29 December | 5pm – 8pm
Nightly Partner: JLF & Bnei Brith
Principal Partners: Gandel Foundation, Fed Square, Victorian Government, Pratt Foundation, Jack & Robert Smorgon Foundation

• MC – Peter Schattner
• Speakers –
  • Mark Leach
  • Nicole Brittain
• Shamash Lighter – Mark Leach
• Menorah Lighters –
  • Fred Alale AM
• Performers –
  • Vocal Vibes
  • National Boys’ Choir
  • Corey CF Productions

Monday 30 December | 7pm – 9.30pm
Nightly Partner: YJP
Principal Partners: Gandel Foundation, Fed Square, Victorian Government, Pratt Foundation, Jack & Robert Smorgon Foundation

• MC – Raphael Mengem
• Speaker –
  • Brian Berger (YJP)
  • TBC
  • TBC
• Shamash Lighter – TBC
• Menorah Lighters –
  • TBC
• Performers –
  • Mon & B
  • YJP
  • Joel Kuperholtz

Partners

For more information about Ark Centre visit: https://www.arkcentre.com.au/
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