I had to share a neat community adventure that happened over the weekend. I have the privilege of working with the regional multicultural association and am happy to link their website for your information and the boost to SEO this blockchain provides in the form of backlinks and key words. https://maph.ca
This weekend was to be the 10th anniversary from the first multicultural festival to be held in market square. Turns out the embattled restaurants depend on the outdoor dining space and the Al Fresco movement which takes place largely in this town square. Thus, the MAPH graciously offered to change venues and host the event on the grounds of the Falstaff Family Center which also acts as their HQ.
The Falstaff Center itself is a recently converted school house built in 1929. When communities consolidate schools to save governmental budgets, these buildings generally get flattened and unceremoniously replaced by condos. This one, however was rescued from that faith by Canadian songwriter Loreena Mckinnett https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loreena_McKennitt who has sold over 14-million albums. She is just Loreena to us but we know what she has accomplished over a long and successful career.
The ground of this wonderful family center turned out to be perfect as the new location for the festival. You may see in a few of the shots that the weather was looking seriously ominous. Tents were erected to provide shelter from blazing sun or rain alike. Let us gather on the grounds as a community.
The association brought in 3 international chefs to provide a varied, exotic and nutritious dinner for the attendees who were invited to donate if they were able. It was so nice to see MAPH volunteers and community members transform into the chefs I didn't even know they were. Zafar from the best Fine Indian Restaurant in the region https://rajastratford.ca was there and there was fantastic Butter Chicken to be had!
It was nice to be feasting, visiting, talking to the local MPPs and such but it was also nice to stand back on the hill and take it all in. People driving by and looking at the celebration. People arriving on bike and on foot with camping chairs just to sit and be part. All different skin tones and dress but one community.
We get a special joy watching kids be kids. It seemed amplified that much more as kids literally from across the globe frolicked and had fun proving that those barriers need not exist. My little ones were tickled by the curiosity and genuine glee that seemed to spill from these little souls.
The music was also international in flavour with this latin trio joyfully belting out traditional tunes.
There was even a duo with a french lady and they performed a wide variety of Canadian and international eclectic and folk songs.
When it was time for MAPH President Geeza to address the gathering and thank them for attending, it was also used to welcome all of the newcomers to the region and the community who supports the work of the Multicultural Association.
The most impactful moment of the afternoon, for me, was when Loreena was asked to say a couple words. She said she prefers to not be referred to as the owner of the property, but steward of the land. She welcomed all and proclaimed that the newcomers should not only feel welcome there, but that this was their home. As much as it was hers and the home of the MAPH.
The food was fantastic. The music was lively and engaging. The people were beautiful and the weather stayed warm and dry despite threatening clouds all afternoon. What a magical day for the community.
I am so glad to have the multicultural association as part of the adventure I have discovered in this small town. I hope you enjoy these types of stories and actually would love to hear some of yours when it comes to inclusion
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I love these festivals! They are such a cultural experience. Every year, Washington, DC has what they call Folklife Festival. They choose several different countries and they build villages, or buildings, huts, or tents, whatever is normal for their culture. They have events such a food that is cooked all day long, crafts if that is what they make to earn a living... it is a real event!
Enjoy!!
Sounds awesome!
This is an independent, self funded multicultural association so they are a little smaller scale with regards to budget for these events. So grass roots and authentic though.
Small part in the penance to pay as an unintentional white devil ;)
:) They start small and become a hit! This is run by Smithsonian, so yeah, it was well funded. But, it is along the same feeling and that is what I love!
I really wanna be there and feels the amazing atmoshere..
You would be welcome!
Children don't see the differences, those are taught, sadly in the home, if only we all remained in that frame of mind, the world would be a happier place.
Lovely celebration of life as a community @zekepickleman
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Definitely agreed.
I remember my little ones making a comment about how different someone's skin looked or hair was. I would always react positively and say something like, "yes isn't that beautiful?" Just hoping to create humans who love humans. Amazing how that is not as common as I thought it was once.
Very difficult explaining to the little ones, our little neighbor has asked me the most amazing things since she was able to talk.
Now six years old, still loves to tell me or ask, her mother gets embarrassed sometimes, I said it's better they ask someone they trust and know, cutest querying child I have met in a long time.
sorry to say you are incorrect, if you leave a group of babies black and white, the black babies will go into the black group and white will form a white group, babies so young that no teaching was done to make this this way, so this bs about we being told who to hate at the house is not 100% true at all, you can be raised in a forward thinking house and family and still be a racist prick or whatever... obvious we are taught a lot of bias in the home, but nature is paramount and biology does not lie on this, experiments have been made on this you can look it up... children see the differences as much as you and i imo....
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BEERKING.Amazing Post! Really I am very glad to read this interesting post about celebrating multiculturism. I really love this multicultural festival and wanna join this beautiful program. Recently I read an informative article about multiculturalism on this website https://paperap.com/free-papers/multiculturalism/ where I have gained lots of information on this topic. My passion is traveling around the world and living with different cultures and people. Anyway, I really appreciate the author for sharing this awesome post.