Australia’s Biggest Cultural Festival ‘Oz Fest’ in India From Oct. 16

Australia will stage its biggest ever cultural festival in India in October, 2012. "Oz Fest" is scheduled to be held from Oct. 16, 2012 to Feb. 5, 2013. The festival would showcase Australian culture through shows and exhibitions in theatre, music, dance, cinema and art in 18 Indian cities with 100 events.

Oz Fest 2012 aims to project contemporary Australia to Indian audiences.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is scheduled to be present at the festival's opening concert featuring Australian aboriginal singer Gurrumul Yunupingu and Indian classical musician Anoushka Shankar, to be held on Oct. 16 at Delhi’s Purana Qila monument.

The festival will bring into its fold a series of unique 50-over and 20-over cricket matches between Australia's National Indigenous Cricket Team and the members of local cricket clubs in Mumbai and Pune.

Another highlight of the featival is the Melbourne Comedy Festival roadshow. It will feature five comedians and a spot competition to find a new Indian talent from across four cities of Pune, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

The festival will also bring to India a snapshot of the Australian contemporary music with live shows by leading bands.

Australian masterchefs Gary Mehigan, George Calombiris, Bill Marchetti and Christine Manfield will cook traditional fare at parallel food festivals and interact with foodies in workshops.

Oz Fest's cultural program will be complemented by business and networking events across four cities, with a focus on innovation, science and technology, mining and resources and food and beverage.