With Canadian Multiculturalism Day being marked June 27, the world is coming to Nogojiwanong-Peterborough, and who is better positioned to serve as host than the New Canadians Centre (NCC)?
For the third consecutive year, the non-profit organization has organized the Canadian Multicultural Festival, a series of programs and events celebrating multiculturalism in Peterborough while introducing attendees to the customs, music, art, dance, food, and stories of the various cultures that have secured a vibrant and still-growing footprint in the city and region.
NCC manager of community development Bhisham Ramoutar speaks to that presence, noting the centre served more 2,000 newcomers over the past year — a 50 per cent increase from the previous year.
“It’s really important for newcomers to represent their cultures, to represent the countries they’re coming from, and see themselves reflected in our programming,” says Ramoutar. “That’s one of the reasons we put so much focus on this festival, because it provides our clients with the opportunity to showcase different aspects of their culture.”
“The majority of the events are facilitated by individuals who are new to Canada. This gives them a platform to share their culture, and allows the wider community to respectfully learn about other cultures and be engaged with the fabric of what makes Peterborough so diverse.”
In 2013, Ramoutar was himself a newcomer to the city. A native of Trinidad and Tobago (he also lived in Guyana for 13 years), Ramoutar attended Trent University as an international student, graduating in 2017 with a BA (Honours) in History and International Development Studies. Later that same year, he joined the staff team at NCC.
Acknowledging that Peterborough, like any community with a large population of newcomers, hasn’t been immune to isolated incidents of implied or overt racism, Ramoutar says the festival is important in terms of fostering a better understanding and acceptance of other cultures.
“It’s a way to humanize immigrants and humanize different parts of the world, and enter into a space of welcome and a place of learning as well,” he says.
Events during the 2024 Canadian Multicultural Festival
Events during the 2024 Canadian Multicultural Festival
A preview of what’s scheduled for the Canadian Multicultural Festival proves there will be ample opportunity to do just that, including what is destined to be the festival’s signature event on Friday, June 28th outside NCC’s 221 Romaine Street (at Aylmer Street) location.
From 2 to 6 p.m. that day, the centre is hosting its 45th Anniversary Block Party. The free family-friendly celebration will feature a talent show, multicultural crafts, henna, face painting, a bouncy castle, and food. In addition, a cultural fair will provide the opportunity to learn about some of the city’s multicultural and faith-based groups and their programming.
In the event of rain, no worries — the party will move indoors.
“It’s a celebration of the past 45 years and the community welcoming us, but it’s also a celebration of the next 45 years to come,” says Ramoutar.
“Our actual physical neighbourhood, but also our metaphorical neighbourhood of the wider Peterborough community, has been very welcoming to newcomers and to the New Canadians Centre. This is a chance for all of us to come together to reflect and celebrate together.”
Preceding that event are a few others, each providing their own cultural flare to the overall celebration.
On Wednesday, June 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., a Bollywood Dance Party and Marketplace will be held at Millennium Park at King and Water streets.
Instructor Magna Karthik will lead participants through a dance routine designed for beginners to experienced dancers, with the actual dancing fun to begin at 6 p.m.
The marketplace will feature Indian-inspired snacks, henna, rangoli art, craft, and artwork by local artists. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable colourful or Indian clothing to enhance the festive spirit.
Next, on Thursday, June 20th, the festival serves up something more cerebral via what’s billed as a community conversation. From 6 to 8 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Library, on what is World Refugee Day, the theme “Our Home” will be explored.
Moderated by social justice activist Simal Iftikhar, a panel comprised of Trent University sociology professor emeritus Dr. Alena Heitlinger, Selah House manager Helen Reader, human rights advocate Mandana Kamali, and Mohammed Shamout — who immigrated to Canada in 2016 as a student refugee and later graduated from Trent University with a Bachelor of Business Administration — will provide insights and engage dialogue on fostering welcoming communities and the support of refugees.
Meanwhile, the “Try It…” series of participatory activities is scheduled over four days.
On Saturday, June 22nd from 3 to 5 p.m. at Quaker Foods City Square, a Zumba party will be held featuring free face painting, kids’ activities, giveaways, and the NCC Women’s Group Craft Market also taking place. Registration is not required.
On Sunday, June 23rd, a jollof rice cooking class — which will teach registrants how to cook the popular West African rice dish, with halal chicken and vegetarian options available — will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the NCC at 211 Romaine Street. As the class is limited to 20 people, advance registration is required.
Then, on Monday, June 24th from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the NCC at 221 Romaine Street, a language exchange event provides the opportunity to learn common words and phrases in Spanish, French, Hindi and Arabic, and then put that new knowledge to the test for a chance to win prizes. No advance registration is required for this drop-in style event.
And on Tuesday, June 25th from 2 to 4 p.m., again at the NCC at 221 Romaine Street, “Sip Around The World” allows participants to discover and savour unique coffee and tea brews from around the globe, including Karak tea from the Gulf Region of the Middle East, Honduran and Ethiopian coffees, Mexican hot chocolate, and Tunisian mint tea. As there is a limit on the number of people who can attend, advance registration is required.
With a satellite office in Cobourg, NCC is bringing the Canadian Multicultural Festival there as well in the form of “Around The World In Northumberland” on Wednesday, June 26th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cobourg Marina at 103 3rd Street. Cultural landscapes will be explored through music, dance and drink, with performances by the Northumberland Multicultural Dance Troupe featured. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for this a free, family-friendly community event.
Meanwhile, throughout this month, NCC’s Multicultural Food Crawl is continuing in downtown Peterborough.
Presented in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) , the ongoing event highlights international dishes available at 10 restaurants in downtown Peterborough. The participating restaurants are Ariyana, Bhojan, Cork & Bean, Curry Village, Fresh Dreams, La Mesita Restaurante, Levantine Grill, Milk + Tea Shop, Oasis Mediterranean Grill (OMG), and Village of Thai.
Until June 30, for every $10 you spend at one of the participating restaurants, you will receive a stamp to add to your Multicultural Food Passport. Passports can be picked up at any of the participating restaurants or at the New Canadians Centre’s office at 221 Romaine Street in downtown Peterborough. Collect six stamps and enter a draw to win one of three $100 Boro gift cards that can be redeemed at downtown businesses.
Participating Restaurants – Multicultural Festival Food Crawl
During the Multicultural Food Crawl, NCC is encouraging participants to share their love of Peterborough’s international cuisine by voting for their favourite restaurant at bit.ly/NCC_FoodCrawl, and to share their food experience by tagging the New Canadians Centre @newcanadianscentre #multiculturalfoodcrawlptbo on Instagram or Facebook. Two posts will be drawn at random to win a $25 Boro gift card.
“One of the things that I think everyone should know is we know how to throw a party,” says Ramoutar. “Come on out. There will be something new that you get to try. The festival is a really good way to build new friendships, but also to discover the world.”
For more information on the Canadian Multicultural Festival, visit nccpeterborough.ca/multiculturalfestival.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the New Canadians Centre. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
