THE chance to transform Scarness into the home of the Fraser Coast United Nations is coming again.

The Fraser Coast Cultural Festival is being resurrected after a year's hiatus and is scheduled to run in March 2012.

Victims of disasters, and those who have helped other people in times of need, will be the focus of the coming celebration of our region's foreign cultures.

Mara Giraudo, festival president for the first time this year, is Italian born and spent most of her European life near Turin.

Her experience puts her in an ideal position to steer the way the festival will embrace the idea of how disasters bind communities in a way that transcends nationality.

“After all the things that have happened around us recently we have to recognise and think about the disasters and all the people affected,” Mrs Giraudo said.

“And we have to think about all the people that have helped the people in trouble.

“We want the festival to recognise and celebrate the people for trying to help each other.

“This festival will be one that embraces not just the foreign culture but the culture of Queensland as well.”

At this stage, the festival will begin on March 24, 2012, with a cultural performance at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough.

Professional and amateur entertainers will showcase the music, dance, and other cultural forms of other countries.

On Sunday, March 25, the main festival day, there will be a morning Parade of Nations and a food court with foreign nationals preparing traditional dishes.

“If anyone belongs to another nation and they want to march, let us know and we will provide the flag,” Mrs Giraudo said.

“We also have corporate membership this year which is exciting for businesses that want to participate in some way.

“For $90 corporate members get some branding material and advertising on our website.”

The Esplanade in Scarness is due to be transformed into a pedestrian area for the event.

The next festival meeting is to be held at the Urangan Community Centre on July 21.

For information visit www.frasercoastculturalfestival.org.au.