Monday, May 4, 2009

10th Annual “Sharing our Cultures” Celebrates the Province’s Cultural Diversity


About 600 Newfoundland and Labrador students in rural schools will experience several world cultures as they visit a multicultural and educational fair at Marystown Central High School in Marystown.

On May 7 and 8, students in Grades 4 to 12 will participate in the 10th annual Sharing our Cultures. This event offers intercultural exchange between students from rural schools and students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds residing in St. John’s. Marystown Central High School has partnered with Sharing Our Cultures to bring this unique multicultural experience to the Burin Peninsula.

The public is invited to the official launch of Sharing our Cultures in Marystown, from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at The Gymnasium of Marystown Central High School. Admission is free. On Friday, May 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. the event is open only to the media and to students and teachers who have registered.

The theme of this year’s event is “Music, Dance, and Stories.” About 30 new Canadian, immigrant, refugee, and international students have created cultural exhibits to bring alive the history, culture, language, dance and music of 12 countries. Performers include Bosnian, African, and Colombian traditional dancers and audience participation in Bamboo dancing.

Visiting students will engage in bilingual cultural activities and interact with host students who will share their culture in music, dance, and stories. By visiting government and community information booths, students will learn about Canadian citizenship and identity, multiculturalism, immigration, resettlement, and integration.

This project is sponsored by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association and supported by the federal Departments of Canadian Heritage and Citizenship and Immigration Canada; the provincial Department of Education; the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (Human Resources, Labour and Employment); the Eastern School District of Newfoundland and Labrador; CBC Radio-Canada, and École des Grands-Vents.

For more information please contact:
Lloydetta Quaicoe, Executive Director (709) 727-2372
or
Marystown School Administration(709) 279-2313

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