October 24th is United Nations day, and the Forest Lawn library started the celebrations early on Saturday with an event featuring ethnic food, music, and dance.
Ottawa has been critical of the U.N. recently, so local organizers feel the work of the United Nations should be recognized with a special event.
The Taste of Cultures celebration featured ethnic displays, art, food, and performances from around the world.
These kind of events are important says Carol Marion, Manager of the Forest Lawn Library; “To celebrate each other's cultures, and to come together as one world, because in this part of Calgary there's so many people that come from different cultures and different parts of the world.”
Performances included Korean drummers pounding out a traditional song, Mexican dancers, and Bollywood dance lessons.
17 cultural groups set up display booths, showcasing things like money, toys and crafts from their home countries.
Foreign Affairs minister John Baird recently criticized the U.N. for not doing enough to end the conflict in Syria. “I believe the United Nations spends too much time on its self, it must now look outward.”
But the Calgary chapter of the United Nations Association of Canada says there's a lot to celebrate about the U.N.
“The neutral aspect of the U.N. makes it really welcomed and accepted around the world. It is such a pool of expertised people around the world whether they are on a volunteer basis, or paid to go into danger zones to do lots of things where it is really needed.” Says Raghad Hussein, United Nations of Canada.
This is the fifth year for A Taste of Cultures, and with growing diversity in Calgary, organizers are already planning for next year,
