Twenty countries shared their cultures with Calgarians on Saturday. The event was hosted by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) in northeast Calgary. This year’s theme was celebrating together, so they called it a Multicultural Powwow, bringing together a “remarkable range of cultures on a single stage” in an authentic expression of Canadian diversity in action. Calgarians had the chance to learn different traditions from cultures around the world, including Nepal, Afghanistan, Peru, South Sudan, Hungary, Kurdistan, India, China, Mexico, Scotland and Nigeria -- and to sample a variety of cuisines as well. First Nations were on hand as well, sharing cultural dances and ceremonies. Organizers say the aim is to create strong bonds to make us a more resilient community. “Celebrate the diversity that makes us stronger as Canadians. Diversity is a strength for Canada, not a weakness to be tolerated, and that’s the message of today’s event, is that, you know, Canada is stronger when we identify and celebrate those differences and bring together those positive experiences that make us, you know, unique as a country,” said CCIS marketing and communications manager Bamidele Salako. Saturday’s event was the second year that CCIS has hosted the event.
