Whether it was live music, traditional food, or a chance to learn about different cultures, there was no shortage of options across the national capital region this weekend. Thousands of people took part in cultural festivals in Ottawa and Gatineau on Saturday, including the European Union Cultural Fair at the Canadian Museum of History and the Festival Franco-Ontarien at Major’s Hill Park. For Ottawa resident Julian Bowen, the events are part of a summer-long effort to explore more of what the capital has to offer. “We’ve been really making an effort this year to go on the Ottawa tourism website and see all the events going on,” Bowen said. “Like every weekend we’re doing something.” Bowen’s latest stop was the European Union Cultural Fair, where more than two dozen countries showcased their culture, food, and traditions. “I’ve done a fair bit of travelling around Europe in my youth,” Bowen said. “I’m working on getting my EU passport through birthright citizenship, so it’s really nice seeing all the different cultures and countries represented.” The fair transformed the Canadian Museum of History grounds into a celebration of European heritage, with cultural displays and performances offering visitors a chance to experience a variety of traditions in one place. “This kind of really represents what the EU is like,” said Marta Boccardo with the Italian Embassy. “We’re all trying to share whether it’s through the culture, through the food, through the wines, and the customs. We’re just trying to share a little bit of our country with you guys.” Just across the river, crowds were also gathering at Major’s Hill Park for the Festival Franco-Ontarien. The annual festival celebrates francophone culture through live performances, family activities, and community events. For Festival Franco-Ontarien executive director Jose Bertrand, the event serves an important purpose beyond entertainment. “In a minority environment such as Ottawa, Ontario, French is an identity,” Bertrand says. “We need to feel like we belong. That’s part of our identity and feeling together.” While both events wrap up this weekend, Bowan says Ottawa’s festival season is far from over. “People always say, Ottawa is a sleepy city, there’s nothing to do but it seems like there’s an event on every weekend,” Bowan says. “It’s not like partying, but, if you like going out, you like just enjoying the nice weather in the summer weather, there’s an event on every week and it’s really good.”
