COLD LAKE - The Lakeland Multicultural Association hosted its seventh annual Diwali Night at the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Nov. 16, drawing in a diverse crowd to celebrate the festival of lights.
The evening was packed with activities, performances, and cultural showcases that reflected the rich diversity of the Cold Lake community.
Attendees who purchased a ticket enjoyed appetizers, henna arts, a photobooth and live performances representing various cultures, including Indigenous dance, Ukrainian, Highland, and Mexican music. Performers also came from across Alberta, including a dance group from Edmonton and a dancer from Red Deer.
“This is our seventh year, and it started from smaller gatherings, and it's grown kind of every year,” said Bryan Boychuk, president of the Lakeland Multicultural Association.
The event incorporated Indian dances, with a group from Edmonton headlining the event.
“We also really try and focus on including some dances from the community and from different cultures,” Boychuk explained. “It's just a really good celebration.”
Diwali, celebrated worldwide as the festival of lights, was the central theme of the evening. Boychuk explained, “Diwali is the festival of lights. It's a holiday that's celebrated in India and all over the world now too, as people spread out and their cultures are celebrated everywhere. We started the Lakeland Multicultural Association really celebrating that, and we branched out to include as many different cultures and communities as we can.”
Although Diwali was celebrated by most from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, for Boychuk, the event's later timing was intentional.
“We always try and shoot for our event to be the weekend after Remembrance Day, and that's just around the right time - and it gives everybody a chance to have a good time for it.”
The event has grown significantly since its inception, from including a smaller group of founding members, to several groups now involved.
Reflecting on the night’s significance, Boychuk expressed pride in the event’s role in celebrating diversity.
“The way we celebrate it here is such a good celebration of community. It gives everybody an opportunity to get a chance to highlight their culture.”
For attendees, the night was a blend of entertainment and education.
“The kids love it. This year, they’re practicing henna designs. Henna is a traditional art form, so they’re going to be drawing their henna, and then they get to practice their own designs and create some art to take home,” Boychuk said.
The evening began with an introduction from emcee Kris Erling, who set the tone by acknowledging the land and its history. “What a great night to experience some diversity here, and I’m also just honored to be able to acknowledge as well that we are in the City of Cold Lake on the land and on the waters adjacent to Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis people.”
Boychuk expressed gratitude to those who made the event possible. “It takes a lot of work to put on an event like this . . . I just wanted to thank all the volunteers and sponsors, everybody who's worked together to make this day really special. I am so proud to help highlight the different cultures that make Cold Lake special.”
