Chanukah - Pillars of Light 2021
A little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness.
Pillars of Light, in celebration of Chanukah, is providing Melbournians with an opportunity to come together over a multicultural celebration, focusing on what unites us as a city.
Each evening features a bespoke program highlighting the core precepts of connection and collaboration through guest speakers, dignitaries, artistic performers, cultural groups, sports people and more, who’ll be invited to light the menorah, bringing together our varied communities through hope, positivity, love and light.
LiveNation, Australia’s premier music promoters, have partnered with Pillars of Light to source local and known multicultural, faith and Indigenous artists that will perform during the festival.
To join book your tickets now for a phenomenal display of multiculturalism and diversity in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD at Fed Square or watch the live stream of each evening below.
Pillars of Light Livestream
The Program
Sunday 28 November | 7pm – 9:30pm | Theme: Inclusivity
Book Now
- Welcome to Country – Colin Hunter Indigenous Elder
- MC – Azmeena Hussain OAM
- Speakers –
- Governor Linda Dessau AC
- Lord Mayor Sally Capp
- Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann
- Menorah Lighters –
- Governor Linda Dessau AC
- Professor Hariz Halilovich (RMIT University)
- Performers –
Monday 29 November | 7pm – 9:30pm | Theme: Sport
Evening Sponsor: Chusette | Book Now
- MC – Bwe Thay (Deputy Chairperson of Victorian Multicultural Commission)
- Speakers –
- Peggy O’Neal AO (President Richmond Football Club and Melburnian of the Year 2021)
- AFL Player
- AFLW Player
- Menorah Lighters –
- Buku Khamis (Western Bulldogs)
- Toby Sheezel (Maccabi Victoria)
- Lindi Nankin (Maccabi Victoria)
- Michael Coppel (CEO Live Nation Australasia)
- Performers –
Tuesday 30 November | 7pm – 9:30pm | Theme: Harmony
Evening Sponsor: SBS | Book Now
- MC – Maria Dimopolous AM
- Speakers –
- Nyadol Nyuon Victorian of the Year Nominee
- George Savvides AM
- Minister Ros Spence MP
- Menorah Lighters –
- Philip Zajac (Erdi Group)
- Margherita Coppolino (Chair of ECCV Disability sub-committee)
- Suzana Bishop (Chief Experience Officer Fed Square)
- Performers –
Wednesday 1 December | 7pm – 9:30pm | Theme: Youth
Evening Sponsor: Scouts Victoria & Anti Defamation Commission | Book Now
- MC – Dr Dvir Abramovich
- Speakers –
- Matt Ellis (Scouts Victoria)
- Dr Sando Demaio (CEO VicHealth)
- Menorah Lighters –
- Luna Folly (Youth Commissioner VMC)
- Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
- Richa Verma (Hindu Community)
- Chi Kwang Sunim (Buddhist Community)
- Julian Wolfson (ARK Centre)
- Performers –
Thursday 2 December | 7pm – 9:30pm | Theme: Connection
Evening Sponsor: East Melbourne Synagogue | Book Now
- MC – Rabbi Dovi Gutnick
- Speakers –
- Sharon Lewin AO (Doherty Institute)
- Manpreet Kaur Singh (SBS)
- Eleanor Loudon (Engineers Without Borders)
- Menorah Lighters –
- John Safran
- John Clarke (Commercial Directorate at Parks Victoria)
- Laurelle Kobritz
- David and Bindy Koadlow
- Donald Bett (Norton Rose Fulbright)
- Zeddy Lawrence (National Editor, Australian Jewish News)
- Caroline “Ralph” Ralphsmith (CEO Fed Square)
- Performers –
Friday 3 December | 6pm – 8:30pm | Theme: Diversity
Evening Sponsor: Australian Multicultural Foundation | Book Now
- MC – Fotis Kapetopoulos
- Speakers –
- Marzia Wardak (Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria)
- Dr Hass Delall AO
- Menorah Lighters –
- Paris Aristotle AO (CEO Foundation House)
- Jasbir Singh (Chairperson, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria)
- Mohamed Mohideen OAM VMC
- Moana Weir (Chair, Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission)
- Zoe Williams (Home Affairs)
- Performers –
Saturday 4 December | 9:15pm – 11:15pm | Theme: Jewish Young Adult
Evening Sponsor: Young Jewish Professionals & Jewish National Fund | Book Now
- MC – Rabbi Moshe Kahn
- Speakers –
- Timna Katz
- JNF
- Menorah Lighters –
- Brian Berger
- Leor Karp
- Eva Besser
- Performers –
Sunday 5 December | 7pm – 9:30pm | Theme: Reconciliation
Evening Sponsor: Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Stand Up, B’nai B’rith & The King David School | Book Now
- MC – Vedran Drakulic OAM
- Speakers –
- Ian Hamm (Chair of the Board of Directors: First Nations Foundation [national] and Koorie Heritage Trust)
- Menorah Lighters –
- Mr & Mrs Graham Goldsmith
- Nina Bassat AM
- David Southwick MP
- Rebecca Forgasz (Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation)
- Pauline Rockman (Jewish Holocaust Centre)
- John Searle
- Susie Ivany (President Jewish Care)
- Natalie Gunn (AUJS)
- Abe Schwarz
- Dr Lois Peeler AM
- Sheena Watt MP
- Marcia Langton
- Dr Janine Mohamed (CEO Lowitja Institute)
- Justin Mohamed (Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People)
- Todd Fernando (Commissioner for LGBBITQ+ Communities VIC)
- Wayne Atkinson
- Shane Charles
- Performers –
Fed Square would like to remind all visitors to the precinct to adhere to all public health directions and guidelines to help keep yourself and those around you safe.
View our COVIDSafe plan here.
