These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 1999, were published as part of the promotion for the St. Albans Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival, an event celebrating the cultural traditions and contributions of the local Vietnamese community. The images feature several of the festival’s organisers, including Ciro Lombardi, Daniel Vu, Joseph Fiteni, Stephanie Fiteni, Doug My Linh, Daniel Connolly, and Paul Borg. Together, they played key roles in planning and coordinating the festivities, which brought together community groups, local businesses and residents in celebration of the Lunar New Year.The festival was one of the major community events held in St Albans, reflecting the suburb’s cultural diversity and fostering connections between the many communities that called Melbourne’s western suburbs home.7671.01 - St. Albans Vietnamese Lunar New Preparations 1999 Photographs (Advocate 29.1).JPG 7671.02 - St. Albans Vietnamese Lunar New Preparations 1999 Photographs (Advocate 29.1).JPGst. albans vietnamese lunar new year festival, st. albans

These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 1999, document the diverse activities and celebrations held during the St Albans Lunar New Year Festival. The images capture many of the festival’s attractions and performances, including the traditional Chinese Dragon, cultural dance performances, belly dancing, piano recitals, and a fireworks display. The event also featured dozens of Asian food stalls lining Alfrieda Street, offering visitors a wide variety of cuisine and contributing to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. The 1999 celebrations marked the Year of the Cat, as observed in the Vietnamese zodiac. The festival reflected the strong presence and cultural contributions of the Vietnamese community in St Albans and served as one of the district’s most significant community events, bringing together residents and visitors in celebration of the Lunar New Year.The festival was one of the major community events held in St Albans, reflecting the suburb’s cultural diversity and fostering connections between the many communities that called Melbourne’s western suburbs home.7673.01 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.02 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.03 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.04 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.05 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.06 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.07 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.08 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.09 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.10 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.11 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.12 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.13 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.14 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.15 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.16 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPG 7673.17 - St. Albans Luna Festival 1999 Photographs (Advocate 34.1).JPGst. albans vietnamese lunar new year festival, st. albans, alfrieda street