The Lismore Friendship Festival Inc (LFFI), a non-profit community organisation, successfully hosted the Piazza in the Park community celebration from 2016 to 2019. Unfortunately, like many events worldwide, our 2020 and 2021 gatherings were cancelled due to Covid, followed by the 2022 festival being called off due to devastating floods that hit the region.
In 2024, we extend an invitation to locals and visitors alike, eager to share in each other’s company and celebrate our city’s Italian cultural heritage at the Lismore Turf Club. Under the new branding and name change – LisAmore! – Loving Lismore, this event aims to unite and uplift our community spirit.
Originally conceived by Creative Lismore Inc, the event aims to strengthen ties with the Lismore Lantern Parade and attract visitors to extend their stay in the city. This year, we plan to expand our festivities, collaborating with other organisations to create ‘a week of winter wonder’ in Lismore, filled with activities to entice guests to linger and stay for the Lismore Lantern Parade the following weekend (June 22, 2024).
LisAmore! gives residents and visitors a diverse array of cultural experiences, reestablishing Lismore on the festival circuit with a vibrant mix of Italian cuisine, music, dance, performances, and traditional games. Language lessons, storytelling sessions, bocce games, exhibitions, and more await, offering people from various backgrounds an opportunity to celebrate our shared Italian heritage.
Through LisAmore! LFFI aims to reinforce Lismore’s friendship with Conegliano and Vittorio Veneto, cities in northeast Italy, which celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2021. This public celebration serves as a tribute to the enduring contributions of Italian settlers to the Lismore district over the past 142 years.
We welcome the involvement of all residents and visitors, offering individuals, community organisations, businesses, media, and government agencies the chance to invest in our community’s rich cultural tapestry and sense of place. LisAmore! stands as a testament to our commitment to revitalise the city’s image and nurture our cherished connections with each other. This family-friendly, outdoor event is an integral part of the LFFI’s annual lineup of events, including Beyond Venice Masquerade dance party held in February.
We extend our gratitude to photographers Peter Derrett, Andrew Sooby, and Lisa Gough for the images used on these pages.