Culture Days, a collaborative pan-Canadian volunteer movement, will be celebrated this year across Newfoundland and Labrador September 24-26.
“Many communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will celebrate Culture Days through inclusive partnerships that showcase and celebrate our pride and respect for all cultures,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. “Our government is pleased to participate in various events related to Culture Days since they capture the spirit of the provincial Policy on Multiculturalism. It is only though such collaborative partnerships and efforts that our province continues to be a vibrant, dynamic and welcoming home for all our residents. I encourage everyone to attend an event in their region.”
Since the launch of the Policy on Multiculturalism in 2007, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has worked with many partners to ensure cultural diversity is seen as a strength and to promote cross-cultural understanding where the cultural diversity of all people is valued, supported and enhanced.
“Cultural diversity is not only celebrated in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is experienced and celebrated every day around our country,” said Amy House, member of the national committee and Chair of the Provincial Task Force for Culture Days. “Our own cultural heritage is eclectic, colorful and distinctive. Newfoundland and Labrador is like one big homemade patchwork quilt and each piece is a different culture.”
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Culture Days activities are supported through a $20,000 investment provided through the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP) of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
Many of the activities for Culture Days focus on celebrating cultural diversity and include, specifically, a dance performance in St. John’s, international cooking classes in Grand Falls -Windsor, a talent show in Corner Brook and guided outdoor hikes at the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club and Hiking Trails in Labrador.
Since the launch of the province’s cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture in 2006, the Provincial Government has invested more than $44 million into the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
For more information on Culture Days and how to get involved, visit
www.culturedays.ca.
As part of Culture Days, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is running Doors Open St. John's and Doors Open Petty Harbour. For more information, visit
www.doorsopendays.com.
