Landing in Melbourne from Kabul revealed a surprising diversity, starkly different from imagined monocultural Australia. The Queen Victoria market became a hub of cultural experiences, where various cuisines and musical performances thrive, representing the city's vibrant multiculturalism. While this diversity is visually prominent in festivals and eateries, deeper integration into policies and narratives often lacks. Politicians engage with multicultural communities mainly during festivals, suggesting that genuine inclusivity requires more than mere appearances on special occasions.
The aromas—some familiar, some entirely new—drifted past me. Music played from different corners. People chatted in languages I half-recognised, others I couldn't place at all.
Multiculturalism in Australia is visible, celebrated, and often delicious. But sometimes it feels like it lives mostly on the surface—in food stalls, colourful festivals, and speeches on special days.
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