Yorkton’s Festival of Cultures is still growing seven years after it began. With more booths, performances and cultures represented, it’s becoming an institution in the city of Yorkton.
Anita Otasanya, Festival of Cultures coordinator, says that they’re excited to see thirteen countries represented at the event. Poland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, China, First Nations, Germany, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines and Canada were all represented with booths at the event.
The goal is to encourage multiculturalism in the city and promote diversity.
“We’ve found a lot of new groups began to emerge from Yorkton, so we want everyone to be able to celebrate the uniqueness in their culture. We can come together under one roof and enjoy everyone’s culture.”
The event has changed as Yorkton has. Some cultures, like the Philippines, have participated since the first one, but others, such as Nigeria, have only participated for two years. Otasanya hopes that each year the event can attract more cultures.
The main goal is to get people to meet their neighbours, and Otasanya notes that it’s also a chance for newcomers to find their community within the city, and encourages newcomers to represent their own cultures at the event in the future.
“I see a lot of teamwork here.”
