CANBERRA’S Embassies and High Commissions will open their doors tomorrow at the beginning of the month-long Windows to the World celebration.

Visitors will be able immerse themselves in an international collection of cultures and cuisines with some of the highlights of this opening Saturday including:

• Pierre the Polar Bear, pancakes and maple syrup and temporary face tattoos at the High Commission of Canada;
• The official meeting room of the 28 Ambassadors of the European Union and the official Chronometer, steadily counting down the days until the Paris Summit, at the Delegation of the European Union;
• The traditional architecture of the Finnish Embassy, Finnish food and culture and the embassy’s 80 degree Celsius sauna; and
• Experience the Malaysian hawker-style street festival with local cuisine, traditional games and a cultural costume parade.

Windows to the World has already proven hugely popular, with most of the events requiring bookings for the first weekend almost sold out. Visitors still wanting a behind the scenes experience will need to hurry as there are only a few places still available for the activities on 19 September and during weeks two, three and four.

The full program for Windows to the World can be found at: events.act.gov.au

Transport Arrangements:

Buses:

ACTION will operate a free chartered bus services between 9.00 am to 4.15 pm departing from Platform 10 in City Bus Station, every half hour, servicing Floriade, Albert Hall/Treasury, and temporary bus stops in Yarralumla.

Missions serviced include Canada, Finland, Malaysia, Norway, Spain, European Union, Netherlands and Japan.

A Park and Ride will also be available for visitors from the Treasury car park on 19 September using the free loop service stop at Commonwealth Avenue, Albert Hall (stop ID 2247).

Parking:

Street parking in Yarralumla will be very limited and there will be no parking on one side of Empire Circuit. Visitors are urged to take the free ACTION bus service or to use active transport alternatives like walking or cycling.