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About Taste of Asia
Hosted By:
The Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham and The Association
of Progressive Muslims of Ontario. In cooperation with the
Municipal Government of the Town of Markham
Contact us at:
tasteofasia@fccm.ca
Purpose of Project:
The purpose is to promote the multicultural
mosaic of Canada and create harmony between different ethnic
groups through an event of mutual respect and co-operation.
This is good cultural exchange and is a venue to promote
a better understanding between ethno cultural groups that
will help lead to better harmony in our multicultural nation.
Format of Project:
Event will be in the form of a two-day Street
Festival of non-stop musical and cultural performances from
different ethnic groups. It highlights the cultural flavours
of food, colour, customs, arts, music, dance and fashion
that are unique to different Asian ethnic backgrounds. There
is no entrance fee, so everyone can enjoy it according to
his or her own budget.
Date and Location:
This event will take place on June 25 and
26, 2005. The street location is at the intersection of
Steeles Avenue and Kennedy Road. With the co-operation of
the Markham municipal government, this section of Kennedy
Road adjacent to Market Village and Pacific Mall will be
blocked off for the two days the event will take place,
from 11AM on June 25th to 7 PM on June 26, 2005. This location
at Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue is the busiest traffic
area of Markham and the two shopping centres are popular
consumer and tourist areas.
Hosts and Organizations:
Hosted by the Federation of Chinese Canadians
in Markham (FCCM) and the Association of Progressive Muslims
of Ontario (APMO), with the assistance of the Taste of Asia
Festival 2004 Committee, the Federation of Chinese Canadians
of York Region (FCCYR), the Canadian Federation of Intercultural
Friendship (CFIF), and Scouts Canada's 8th Markham Scouts.
Benefits to the Community:
York Region, Markham and Toronto are made
up of many ethno-cultural groups and this street festival
will provide a chance for different ethnic groups to mingle
and learn about each other's cultures through food, arts
and performances in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It
will expose the community to performances by established
artists without cost and will also give the opportunity
for newer talents to be exposed to the media and different
communities. It also allows the younger generation to learn
about their heritage.
Through the co-operative efforts of the all
parties involved, we hope to achieve an even greater success
in this event than last year's, which had an attendance
of over 40,000 people.
Significance of Festival:
This street festival will uplift and inspire
many people. It will not only attract people from local
areas but also from the rest of York Region, the GTA and
tourists, as the locale is a tourist hotspot.
The fact that a Chinese Canadian community
organization and a Muslim Canadian association have joined
together to host such a big event is a significant step
towards intercultural co-operation that could open doors
to further more of such activities, thus promoting intercultural
friendship and understanding and harmonious relationships.
Participation is not limited to Asians only, as a good number
of non-Asians also attended the event in previous years.
This large-scale activity involves a lot
of organizers and volunteers from different ethno-cultural
organizations, thus promoting intercultural co-operation
and better understanding between cultures, working towards
a more harmonious and healthy society that celebrates the
unique multicultural mosaic of Canada's makeup.
Media:
Promotion of this event will be done through
advertising in community and local papers, on our multicultural
website (www.culture-canada.ca), and through television
and radio.
Activities:
Events taking place include games for
all ages, an intercultural basketball tournament with over
6o teams, exhibitions of art, performances of song and dance,
and booths with specially discounted multicultural wares,
food and services for all to enjoy. This year, we also plan
to hold a model car race, a special Orchid flower show and
a firework display on the evening of the 25th (Saturday).
In addition there will be lucky draws held at intervals
throughout the festival, with a grand prize draw at the
closing ceremony of the 26th (Sunday).
Parking:
Free Parking available at
Market Village Shopping Centre
- Denison Plaza (Denison and Kennedy)
- Milliken Mills Community Centre
- Markham Civic Centre
Free Shuttle bus to and from Markham Civic
Centre, Milliken Mills Community Centre, and Denson Plaza
during Taste of Asia festival.
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