Every Italian in Melbourne has been at least once to the festival – now known as the Melbourne Italian Festa – while some have never missed an edition.
One thing’s for sure: they all have fond memories linked to the event which has been the most important on the calendar of the Italian community in Melbourne for the past 40 years.
For the first time, this colourful exhibition brings together images, objects and stories from the CO.AS.IT. Italian Historical Society Collection that celebrate the unique history of Australia’s first major Italian street festival.
With its first edition in 1978, the Lygon Street Festa proved to be a huge success, with people of all ages and backgrounds joining in the festivities.
For the first time in Carlton’s history, streets were closed to traffic for the entire weekend as the suburb was transformed into the perfect stage for an incredible variety of activities that reflected the predominantly Italian cultural heritage of the local community.
Four decades on, the festival is as popular as ever.
It even attracted over 70,000 people during its golden age!
Monday marked the start of History Week 2019, running until Sunday, October 20.
Throughout the week, CO.AS.IT. will open its doors to those who want to share their stories, mementoes and photographs from the festival.
For more information, visit CO.AS.IT.’s website.
