By Nadine Moedt (The Cascade/Photos) – Email
Print Edition: October 1, 2014
Booths offering cultural enlightenment filled Tradex’s AgRec building as Abbyfest kicked off its seventh year Saturday. The festival, which celebrates cultural diversity, has been wildly successful since its debut in 2008, drawing crowds from around the Fraser Valley to enjoy the live entertainment and colourful information booths.
The day began with a parade of nations, a welcome by the Stó:l? Nation, and a rendition of the Canadian national anthem by Abbotsford mayor Bruce Banman. Festival-goers then began to make the rounds of the tables and enjoy the opening performances, which included African dancing, a demonstration of the Kurdish tambour, and the charming Abbotsford Male Chorus.
Volunteers manning the booths were enthusiastic and patriotic; a short pause at the Scandinavian table found me jestingly pressured into trying on a blonde, braided wig and horned helmet. (“There! Now you’re one of us!”)
UFV International set up presentation boards that provided onlookers with commentary and information on a wide variety of cultures. Interactive quizzes were offered and, while the international information was useful, the Canadian quiz asked questions like, “How many points did Wayne Gretzky score in his career?” Absent was any mention of First Nations culture. The opening welcome was promising, but I would like to have seen a booth offering information on First Nations people in Canada.
Other displays offered information on community support groups, local events, and safety awareness. Representatives from the Reach Gallery, Abbotsford Community Services, and UFV English Language Studies were present.
Abbotsford’s firefighters presented fire safety tips to passersby, most of whom seemed happy for a chance to gaze further at the strapping men. Meanwhile, a booth supporting gender equality sat in view of the all-male fire crew. You could almost hear them thinking: case in point.
Other highlights included a table selling Kurdish-Canadian art, a by-donation photo booth with humourous props, and a table selling authentic handmade Ugandan jewellery.
Booths displaying information on various religions — Islam, Buddhism, Baha’i, and Christianity, to name a few — passed out treats and information pamphlets. One presentation offered henna application with information on the status of women in Islam.
The festival opened this year with two stages, and performances continued throughout the duration of the festival. UFV had a noticeable presence among the performers, including a short fashion show and an interactive cultural dance lesson.
Abbyfest allows participants to learn about other cultures and religions in a non-threatening and respectful environment. The day provided an atmosphere that went beyond simple tolerance of our diversity. It encouraged the sharing, interests, and understanding of other ways of being.
