Many cultures together in one community: One Heritage Canada
TORONTO – Just because we may not know another culture exists in our very midst, does not mean that culture it is not a vibrant reality. We ignore it at our own peril. At a minimum, we deprive ourselves of the rich benefit its practitioners enjoy. I have been attending the annual anniversary celebrations of One Heritage Canada on and off for several years. This year, its showpiece celebration of diversity celebrated its 18th anniversary in highlighting Heritage Beyond Borders.
It invited the Corriere Canadese, and through it the Italian community (which, to them, appears to retain a mystique combining history and engagement that should be shared). Neel Nanda, Founder and President of Heritage Beyond Borders is attempting to bridge that gap with the help of National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada.
Saturday, November 15, they provided a combination of Awards Ceremony in recognition of merit displayed by individuals in various sectors of the social collective: medicine, research, social sciences, community organization, political engagement, journalism and academics. The Corriere Canadese was also a recipient of an award, for which it remains appreciative.
What was particularly (though not exclusively) interesting was the honouring of the Uzbeki present. Until a few years ago, Uzbekistan was a “notion-state”, a geographic “nook” part of the former Soviet Union. Saturday, they offered a visual and musical display of heir real-life Canadian experience.
Something similar occurred with the Romanian contingent. As one of their representatives reminded me, their history is tied more with Italy’s Latin roots than it is with its Eastern neighbours from the Black and the Caspian Seas. They knew more about Canadians than we about them.
The agenda was, as the saying goes, “packed” with dancers, performers and contestants for the beauty and talent contestants who did their best to garner the approval of the audience. I do not think there were any losers.
Here below are some videos and a photogallery from the event (photos: Corriere Canadese)
