They’re celebrating culture through a common language.
The Tommy Douglas library branch is hosting a Community Reading Festival, running Oct. 26 to 28.
The festival, organized by the Culture Chats B.C. Association, offers diverse events for families, adults and newcomers who speak English as a second language.
Asmita Lawrence from Culture Chats B.C. said the organization is grateful for support from the LINC Community and Continuing Education program, as well as instructors from Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, who worked with the group on pre-events leading up to the festival – introductory sessions for immigrants and refugees learning English.
“The success of these events is attributed to their commitment to the goal of celebrating language and literature, which can shape and connect diverse cultures together,” she said in a press release.
After pre-events on Sept. 28 and Oct. 4, the festival is now coming up – and the whole community is invited to take part.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, everyone is invited to drop in for a session of word and board games that explore language, literary expressions and culture – all on a Canada 150 theme. It runs from 10 a.m. to noon.
On Friday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., book lovers can turn out for an author reading and book club review section. The reading centres around the book Wherever I Find Myself: Stories By Canadian Immigrant Women, an anthology of writing by 24 immigrant Canadian women. The reading will feature editor Miriam Matejova and a contributing author, and books will be available to purchase for $25 (cash only). Members of the Culture Chats Book Club will also be on hand to offer up story reviews.
On Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., the library will host an Intercultural Story Time, aimed at kids aged three to 10 with their caregivers. Families can read books, share stories and take part in a group discussion.
Drop-ins for all of the events are welcome, but registration is encouraged. Email [email protected] to sign up for any of the events.
All events are free and open to everyone, and light refreshments will be provided.
Culture Chats B.C. is organizing the festival with partners and sponsors including Festivals Burnaby, the Vancouver Foundation, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Burnaby Public Library, Vancity and the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table.
See www.culturechats.org for all the details.
