TIMMINS – Groups from all over the world celebrated culture, food, and music at The Mac.
The Timmins Multicultural Festival wrapped up two days of learning and fun on Sunday, May 25, with the parade of nations at noon. After that, 31 different countries shared their food, traditional dress, and goods until 4 p.m.
“The community is now embracing all this wonderful, diverse culture that we have,” said Marnie Lapierre. “Traditional foods are available here as opposed to what you can find in restaurants, so you can come here and get some home cooking!”
Fatemeh Azadbakht travelled from Toronto to help represent Iran with her family in Timmins.
“I heard about this beautiful festival, and as an Iranian, I really want to be a part of the culture here, and I feel like it needs more attention,” she said. “Multicultural stuff isn’t just about yourself, you learn about other cultures as well.”
Asadbakht is a fabric artist who designs prints for clothing and other uses under her company, Persian Goods, and brought her work to share with the attendees.
Next year, the Iranian booth hopes to provide some food as well.
“Iranian food is wonderful,” she said. “Next year, I promise!”
On Saturday at the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre the programming room was packed for more in-depth lessons on different cultures.
Those lessons included origami folding workshops and other educational activities led by community members.
All the donations collected at the events will go toward next year’s festival.