2017 Asian Heritage Festival celebrates diversity of cultures
FIVE GROUPS TAKE PART AT MULTICULTURAL CENTRE
Asian groups from around the city came together over the weekend to celebrate their different cultures with the community at large.
The 2017 Asian Festival took place at the Lethbridge Multicultural Centre on Saturday.
Surya Acharya, President of the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association and one of the organizers for the 2017 Asian Festival, said the main idea for the event was to allow different Asian cultures celebrate the diversity they bring to the community.
“Because May is considered Asian Heritage Month, we considered doing one event with a number of Asian members,” he said.
Five groups took part in the event on Saturday and featured booths, food, music and programming.
A number of groups represented Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Bhutanese cultures. There was also a number of dignitaries in attendance, including the Consul General for Philippines Julius Torres and Vice Consul for Japan Mai Tomori.
Acharya said the history of the city is closely linked to the Asian community, from its history with Japanese-Canadians to the everexpanding ethnic communities who call Lethbridge home.
Being in a new multicultural centre, Acharya said the community has embraced the space for many different types of events.
“We wouldn’t enjoy (the festival) as much as we’re enjoying it now if we didn’t have this new facility. It’s a really nice facility for people to call home, and also take pride in all the ethnic members of our group.
Lethbridge East MLA Maria Fitzpatrick said this first festival is an important part of the diversity in the city.
“I’ve said it before. One of the things I love about Lethbridge is how diverse we are, and how we come together as a community,” she said.
“I would suspect that lots of people in Lethbridge don’t know that we have this kind of diversity in our city. And I hope that people come out to these events, participate in this festival, and learn more about our neighbours. Certainly, that’s why I’m here.”
Torres brought greetings on behalf of the Philipines government and people. “I hope (Filipinos) are contributing very well to the economy in terms of their jobs and their spending,” he said. “I also hope they propagate the same spirit that is being propagated here today, which is multiculturalism, acceptance of all races and cultures, and religions.”
Tomori also thanked organizers for their effort in bringing the community together.
“It is getting more and more important to celebrate diversity in Lethbridge as well as Canada as a whole,” she said.