Celebration of cultures

HERITAGE DAY FESTIVITIES DRAW A CROWD TO EXHIBITION PARK

Hundreds of local residents came out to experience the community’s varied cultures in a celebration of entertainment and food during the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association’s Heritage Day festivities Monday at Exhibition Park.

This year’s Heritage Day celebration coincides with the association marking its 40th anniversary as a registered charity, although they had run the event for a couple years prior.

And, after more than four decades, the event continues to evolve.

“We have new groups performing, as well as new groups as food vendors. And that is what we want to see,” said Surya Acharya, president of the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association.

A new format was also introduced to allow everyone to take in the entertainment, different from past years where floor space had been sectioned off in separate food and entertainment areas.

More than a dozen food vendors were on hand, along with about 20 different entertainers performing on stage.

Acharya is encouraged by the work that the cultural groups bring and the crowds that come out to enjoy it.

“We’re happy that the community is supporting us. It is a community event and we want to keep it that way,” he said.

And for some who come to take in the entertainment and food, a broader perspective can be gained as well.

Danille Lazzaretto-Green and her husband brought their five-year-old daughter to experience the festivities.

“I think it’s really important that she’s exposed to different cultures and to see what the cultures are about,” she said.

“There’s so much fear when you don’t understand other people and so being able to ask questions and see what it’s like to be part of a different culture, it humanizes it more, makes it easier for us to accept other people, I think.”

That view was echoed by Acharya, pointing out the wealth of cultural diversity in the area.

“Let’s encourage all these groups to maintain their heritage and maintain their culture so that we can actually benefit. Instead of going anywhere we can enjoy everything right here in this community.”

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Herald photos by Ian Martens @IMartensHerald Henny Schalk and Grace Dejager serve up Dutch treats during the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association’s Heritage Day festivities Monday at Exhibition Park.

@IMartensHerald Anel Balderes dances in a flurry of colour with the Mexicanos Sin Fronteras dance group during the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association’s Heritage Day festivities Monday at Exhibition Park.

Herald photos by Ian Martens @IMartensHerald Eight-year-old Dean Quesnelle performs the Fancy Dance along with the Blackfoot Ninastako Dance and Drum Group during the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association’s Heritage Day festivities Monday at Exhibition Park.

@IMartensHerald Rgena Deng, Kino Ykak, Agustino Akorkwag and Aggie Dang serve up South Sudanese food during the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association’s Heritage Day festivities Monday at Exhibition Park.