Asian Heritage Festival planned for weekend

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on May 22, 2024.

Herald file photo - The Nepali Community of Lethbridge dancers perform at last year's Asian Heritage Festival at the Multicultural Centre.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association will be hosting the annual Asian Heritage Festival to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.

Anastasia Sereda, executive director of the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association said the festival is free to attend and provides the community an opportunity to experience a variety of Asian cultures.

“This is the seventh annual event and It features different cultural organizations, specifically Asian cultural organizations in Lethbridge and it’s a way of showcasing and celebrating Asian culture and to get together,” said Sereda.

She said the event has been well-received by the community, with more than 650 people attending last year. Sereda added that this year the festival is focused on including even more cultural communities.

“Something new we have this year would be the Bangladeshi community and we also have someone who is signing in Persian,” said Sereda.

Some of the activities attendees can expect include musical and dance performances, cultural displays featuring costumes and ornaments, authentic Asian food for purchase, dance lessons, Chinese calligraphy, Taiko drummers and the lion dance.

“We also have a selfie station that people can come and take selfies at, henna and games throughout the festival. There will be quizzes for the public as well to learn a little bit about different Asian cultures,” said Sereda.

 She said the quizzes can test attendees’ knowledge on the various Asian cultures but they are voluntary to take.

Some of the countries represented in the festival include Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Nepal, and the Philippines.

The festival will take place at the Multicultural Centre this Saturday from noon until 4 p.m.

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