Aurora councillor dismisses culture exclusion at multicultural festival

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 10, 2016
By Teresa Latchford

An elected official claims there is no merit to the accusation of specific cultures being excluded from Aurora’s first Multicultural Festival.

Councillor Harold Kim envisioned an inclusive festival that would bring the community together to celebrate diversity. However, recent comments from local residents posted on social media are pointing fingers and accusing the town of leaving out a number of cultures that are well represented in Aurora, including Italian, Caribbean and Hispanic cultural elements.

“I was so excited to see that Aurora was celebrating its first multicultural festival this year. Was looking forward to ethnic foods, international entertainment and cultural vendors,” Anna Regina said in a Facebook post, adding that she noticed the lack of at least three cultures. “Aurora is becoming quite diverse and all cultures need to be included. I am a proud Canadian-Italian and my husband is Hispanic. We are looking to get more engaged in our community but truly feel segregated at this point.”

In a later post she states she is truly offended and would have enjoyed a nice cappuccino and eating some oxtail while listening to merengue music.

Her comments, and others who feel the same, continue to garner comments on Facebook.

Kim explained the information and call to cultural community groups to participate was posted on the town’s notice board and online. The 15 different cultural groups and additional community organizations who responded to the call will be participating.

“This event is close to my heart and it is extremely disappointing that someone would view this event in a way that is so contradictory to the spirit in which it was intended,” Kim added. “The festival is meant to be about coming together, as families and as a community, to share music, dance, food and games while learning about other cultures.”

As for the Italian community being represented, it will be, Kim said. It was always the town’s plan to include Italy’s national game, soccer, as part of the festival.

A survey was circulated during the event to collect input on how the festival could be improved next year. The festival will expand in the following years and the town will encourage anyone interested in participating in the next event to reach out.

There is also a plan to strike an organizing committee next year consisting of members of the public.