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Purpose of Project:
The purpose is to promote the multicultural
mosaic of Canada and create harmony between different ethnic
groups through an event of mutual respect and co-operation.
This is good cultural exchange and is a venue to promote a better
understanding between ethno cultural groups that will help lead
to better harmony in our multicultural nation.
Format of Project:
Event will be in the form of a two-day Street
Festival of non-stop musical and cultural performances from
different ethnic groups. It highlights the cultural flavours
of food, colour, customs, arts, music, dance and fashion that
are unique to different Asian ethnic backgrounds. There is no
entrance fee, so everyone can enjoy it according to his or her
own budget.
Date and Location:
This event will take place on July 3rd and 4th
2004. The street location is at the intersection of Steeles
Avenue and Kennedy Road. With the co-operation of the Markham
municipal government, this section of Kennedy Road adjacent
to Market Village and Pacific Mall will be blocked off for the
two days the event will take place, from 6 AM on July 3rd to
9 PM on July 4th, 2004. This location at Kennedy Road and Steeles
Avenue is the busiest traffic area of Markham and the two shopping
centres are popular consumer and tourist areas. The festival's
activities will be held starting from 12:00 noon to 6 PM on
each day.
Hosts and Organizations:
Hosted by the Federation of Chinese Canadians
in Markham (FCCM), with the assistance of the Taste of Asia
Festival 2004 Committee (a collaborative of the FCCM and the
Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario (APMO)), the
Federation of Chinese Canadians of York Region (FCCYR).
Benefits
to the Community:
York Region, Markham and Toronto are made up
of many ethno-cultural groups and this street festival will
provide a chance for different ethnic groups to mingle and learn
about each other's cultures through food, arts and performances
in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It will expose the community
to performances by established artists without cost and will
also give the opportunity for newer talents to be exposed to
the media and different communities. It also allows the younger
generations to learn about their heritage.
Through
the co-operative efforts of the all parties involved, we hope
to achieve an even greater success in this event than last year's
by FCCM, which involved the co-operation between the many ethnic
groups in planning and performing the programs.
Significance
of Festival:
This street
festival will uplift and inspire many people. This festival
will not only attract people from local areas but also from
the rest of York Region, the GTA and tourists, as the locale
is a tourist hotspot.
The fact
that a Chinese Canadian community organization and a Muslim
Canadian association have joined together to host such a big
event is a significant step towards intercultural co-operation
that could open doors for further such activities, thus promoting
intercultural friendship and understanding and harmonious relationships.
Last year over 20,000 people attended the festival, and participation
is not limited to Asians only, for a good number of non-Asians
attended the event.
This large-scale
activity involves a lot of organizers and volunteers from different
ethno-cultural organizations, thus promoting intercultural co-operation
and better understanding between cultures, working towards a
more harmonious and healthy society that celebrates the unique
multicultural mosaic of Canada's makeup.
Media:
Promotion
of this event will be done through advertising in community
and local papers, on our multicultural website (www.culture-canada.ca)
and through television and radio.
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more info
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Activities:
Events
taking place include games for all ages, an intercultural
basketball tournament with over 100 teams, exhibitions
of art, performances of song and dance, and booths with
specially discounted wares, food and services for all
to enjoy. |
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