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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2013-12-23, Page 88 Lucknow Sentinel • Monday, December 23, 2013 Multiculturalism important during the holidays and all year round Multiculturalism is one of the many things that make Canada a worthwhile place to live and raise a family. The more people are able to know about different cultures and their holidays is always important in knowing the people who live here. This is why the Bruce County Museum and Cul- tural Centre in Southampton put on the Festivals of the Season on Dec. 7 to showcase some of the various cultures in Bruce County and the holidays they celebrate. One of the three holidays that were showcased on the day was Diwali, or Festival of Lights, which is celebrated across India and by Indians living abroad. This year Diwali was celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4. The second holiday was Eid Al-Fitr, which is a feast breaking that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, which is observed on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The third holiday was Christmas, held Dec. 25, which had a history of the Christmas tree event for kids as well as a Celtic dance. There was food from each culture to enjoy and visitors to the museum were able to ask questions about each holiday and its significance. Nancy White, program manger for Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre said it's important to educate people and make them aware about the various cultures that are in Bruce County. White added that the event was an introductory way for people to get to know about other holidays cele- brated by various cultures. "In the past the museum did the traditional European style of Christmas celebration with Christmas trees and crafts with candle making, things the pioneers would have done," said White. "We did this because we are a museum and it was sort of the flow we were going on. This year the meuseum wanted to do something different. We looked at the different cultures that are growing in Bruce County," White explained. "I think it's important that as a museum and a cultural centre that we look as many different cultures as we can. I know the diversity of cultures is growing immensely in Bruce County. With this event we want to promote and educate people as well as share our cultures amongst each other." White said the Festival of the Seasons is a way for visitors of the museum to discover the various cultures of the area and to experience what goes into holidays they may know nothing about. White said a lot of the time they will find the other cul- tural holidays have many similarities the message of Christmas conveys, which has a lot to do with peace and love. "It gives people visiting the museum a chance to talk to the people at the tables and ask them ques- tions about the holiday they celebrate and to enjoy the food they brought as well," said White. "When people look at the basis behind the different festi- vals cultures celebrate they all have very similar ideas to them. Peace and working with one another to achieve a common goal of love and friendship." One of the people instrumental in putting on the Festivals of the Season event on at the Bruce County Museum was Chandrashekhar Tripathi who is the organizer of the annual Kincardine Multicultural Day. Tripathi is a big believer in the positive ideals of multiculturalism where everyone is able to work together for a common goal of love and brotherhood. "In many holidays like Diwali and Christmas the same message that love is essential for salvation, no matter what people believe in. Everyone wants love and peace and there are many stories in dif- ferent culture, but many times it's the story of good over evil," said Tripathi. "We are living in a multi- cultural society and more and more people are Personalized, Comfortable Dental Care Two Convenient Locations in Hanover & Lucknow to Serve You • Save Time With One -Location Dental Care • Convenient Payment Options Evening & Early -Morning Appointments Available! • Caring & Courteous Staff Comprehensive Dentistry TVs in Treatment Rooms • Emergencies Welcome! We Bill Your Insurance Company Directly to Minimize Your Out -of -Pocket Costs! 711111 GRUNDY arnills Cale Per dr.i:aI:eed r.,.,,;c7llrtrl l Dr. Derek Grundy & Associates 399 18th Avenue Hanover 693 Havelock Street Lucknow 1 -877 -9 -Grundy or 1-519-364-1970 GrundyFamilyDentalCare.com Convenient Appointments Before & After Work or School! From left to right displaying the various information and food that makes up the Indian holiday of Diwali are Manish Parikh, Sejal Parikh, Chandra Tripathi and Abhilasha Tripathi." coming to smaller towns in Canada from different parts of the world. It's good to make people aware to as many different cultures as possible. This is one of the reasons I started the multi- cultural day in Kincardine 10 years ago. It is growing and it has about 1,700 peo- ple attend with many different cultures in attendance. Unity in diversity is very important and this shows in the many holidays different cultures celebrate. Even though we are different we are still the same in many ways:' White hopes the Festivals of the Sea- son put people in the holiday spirit and they learned a little something of the multiculturalism we have here in Bruce County and all of Canada. "I hope people came and enjoyed everything the event had to offer from the information provided, the delicious food and the message of celebrating holidays," said White. "My wish for peo- ple this Christmas is people learned a little more about other people's tradi- tions then when they arrived at the museum." White said she would like to expand the day next year and include as many different cultures as possible. For more information on the various events at Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, visit www.brucemu- seum.ca or call 1-866-318-8889. WISHES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ASAFE AND HVPY HOLIDAY* The Bruce Power Visitors' Centre will be closed over the holidays from Dec. 23 until Jan. 5 inclusive. BRUCE POWER VISITORS' CENTRE 3394 Bruce Road 20 West of Highway 21, Tiverton, ON Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed weekends and statutory holidays)