This year’s Collage Cultural Festival will offer up lots of entertainment, food and cultural displays in a celebration of the many nationalities that are now part of the Estevan area.
Collage will be a one-day event on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s multi-purpose room. Activities will begin at 10 a.m.
Southeast Newcomer Services (SNS) is spearheading this year’s festivities.
“What we have confirmed are pavilions from different countries, performances from different countries and entertainment all day long and from different age groups,” said SNS program co-ordinator Waed Dakkak.
The Chung Wah Kung Fu martial arts dancers from Regina will perform a lion dance and provide kung fu and tai chi demonstrations. The Bhangra East Indian Community will then perform some of their dances.
Parthivi Bhatt, a nine-year-old girl who recently moved to Estevan with her family, will perform an East Indian dance.
The local Me’ira Belly Dance Troupe will perform several of their routines. The Drewitz School of Dance will do dances from Hungary, Ukraine, Scotland and Ireland. Midale’s Nadia Babchouk will play music from eight different countries on her violin.
They are also waiting for confirmation from other performers.
The East Indian, Mediterranean, Filipino, Ukrainian and Jamaican communities are slated to have pavilions at Collage. Dakkak said they hope to have a few other cultures participate in the festival.
Some of the exhibitors will be preparing food, ensuring there will be a variety of foods for people to enjoy. Dakkak said it’s not always easy for the exhibitors to have food at their booths.
“One of the African communities declined because most of the ingredients are not available here,” said Dakkak. “They always have to order it online, or drive up to Regina or Saskatoon to pick their supplies. When it’s not available here, it makes it difficult for them to participate.”
There will also be photography booths and Henna artists on site, and they hope to have caricature artists as well.
“We are still looking for volunteers, if anyone is interested,” said Dakkak. “We have contacted the Estevan Comprehensive School to ask for volunteers, since many of the high school kids need to complete their volunteer hours.”
Dakkak said they have received a lot of inquiries about Collage, and she expects the interest will pick up as the event draws closer.
“We want everyone to enjoy the day, and the good food, and spend the entire day with us,” said Dakkak.
Anyone interested in participating in Collage can contact Dakkak at 306-637-4920.
