By Alesha Capone
Traditional Karen bamboo basket weaving will be one of the many activities featured during the Wyndham Learning Festival.
The festival, which will be held from Saturday, September 1, to Saturday, September 8, will include hundreds of events for residents of all ages.
This will be the annual festival’s third year. It is organised by the Wyndham Community & Education Centre with support from Wyndham council.
At the centre on Tuesday, September 4, men and women from Wyndham’s Karen community will demonstrate traditional bamboo basket weaving from 12.30-2pm.
One of the expert craftsmen, Pah Duh, said he started weaving when he was about 11.
Through a translator, Mr Duh said: “I learned from my parents father, uncle and relatives – everyone wove so I learned by watching them. I love weaving … when I make something like a basket, rather than buying one or borrowing one, when I want to give someone a gift, I have my own handmade basket to give them.”
Centre chief executive Jennie Barrera said the learning festival would also feature a digital photography bus tour, a walk with the Werribee Riverkeeper, robotics, Latin and African drumming and a Japanese tea workshop.
“The Wyndham Learning Festival plays a significant role in bringing people together with a focus on lifelong learning across the municipality,” she said.
The Wyndham Community & Education Centre is at 20 Synnot Street, Werribee.
Details: wynlearnfestival.org.au or facebook.com/WynLearnFestival
