By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – The signature pounding of traditional Sri Lankan drumming set the tone at the annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday.
Hundreds filled the civic complex salons at the two-day event for a special meet-and-greet with representatives of over 30 countries.
Dressed in colourful regalia, Jeyon Jeanandan, 16, stood by a table display full of instruments and various garments showcasing his ancestral origins.
The Montreal-born Cornwallite and several other youths and teens captured the crowd’s attention with a stunning drum performance and stick dance.
“This event is important because it shows people that Canada is a multicultural country and that it respects everyone,” said Jeanandan.
Marie Morrell, event organizer and founder of the Parade of Nations for the Developmentally Challenged, started the festival in 2007. Her non-profit organization has been rallying the community for years in an effort to showcase the city’s diversity.
“People need to understand we’re all immigrants,” said Morrell. “We all learn from each other. If this festival can set aside our differences, we can unite.”
Ottawa’s Gundega Auzina, 21, spoke to onlookers in a traditional folk costume, surrounded by tourism materials at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia booth.
She described the Northern European country, which is roughly 64,500 square kilometres with an estimated population of over 2 million, as 54 per cent forest.
“I grew up in a culturally rich Latvian-Canadian family, with lots of singing and dancing,” said Auzina. “We’re also big fans of hockey, hearty foods, and beer.”
She added that the famed Latvian Song and Dance Festival as a key component of the country’s cultural identity.
Menakah Yoharaja, 20, specializes in Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form. Her masterful control of rhythmic movements earned her the festival’s best dance award and a standing ovation.
“Performing is a big part of my life and expresses who I am,” said Yoharaja. “It’s very important that Cornwall has this festival.”
The Queens University student has lived in the city for over a decade. She was born in Sri Lanka, but spent a few years in Japan with her family before moving to Canada.
The festival also boasted a market area with artists, artisans, and small business owners, as well as a flag parade at the closing ceremonies.
TC Media and Seaway News are proud sponsors of the event.
For more information, e-mail info@paradeofnations.com or visit www.paradeofnations.com.
