Wednesday, August 26, 2015

CIES Summer Festival A Huge Success

Yesterday CIES held its 5th annual Summer Festival and by all accounts it was an unparalleled success. Hundreds of attendees came by throughout the day in the form of local residents, clients, sponsors, partners, and both members of the municipal and provincial governments, including recently elected MLA Robyn Luff and the City of Calgary's Jason Luan. Food, dance and music from all over the world was on display, as well games, contests and activities. More than 30 countries from around the globe were represented on what was a remarkable day.

The theme for this year's festival was Celebrating Diversity and seeing so many customs and traditions, so much culture and so much diversity all in one place was truly special. CIES would like to thank all those who attended, the artBOX for graciously providing us with an absolutely great venue, the International Avenue Business Revitalization Zone's support, and most especially a heartfelt thanks to all those who participated in the days events. Without your input, without your pride in sharing your culture and donating your time, we could not have put on such a truly amazing day.

What was without a doubt a day of fun also had a very important subtext and in the end, very much stands for what the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society strives for each and every day. CIES seeks to promote global citizenry and what it means to be Canadian through the respect, awareness, and recognition of individual perspective. Specificity over stereotypes, tolerance over dogmatism, and justice over bigotry - CIES is about the deconstruction of ethnocentrism and the undeniable truth that in our diverse and global community that is the great city of Calgary, life has many paths upon which to unfold and not only one. Above all else, although the values and beliefs of any single culture will never be universal, it is in celebrating this undeniable truth that our sense of community, our sense of family, our sense of being Calgarian is born. Thank you for sharing and celebrating with us and making Calgary the remarkable city it is. CLICK HERE for all the amazing pictures from the day. Video highlight reel coming soon!




Monday, August 24, 2015

CIES Summer Festival Tomorrow

Tomorrow C.I.E.S. is holding its 5th annual Summer Festival at the artBOX on International Ave. (1807 42 St SE) The event and all its activities are open to the public at no charge, so come on down for a great day of culture and good times. (9:30 am - 2:30 pm) Fun for the whole family, food samples from the world over, games, contests and more are on the agenda for the day. We here at C.I.E.S. want you to come celebrate the true essence of our Calgarian multiculturalism and enjoy the richness it provides, along with providing people an opportunity to learn about and appreciate newcomers’ diverse cultures. Below is a list of the day's activities and we hope to see you there!


FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES 
  • “Forest Lawn” Bowling:
There will be 7 pins to knock down with 3 chances with our bowling ball globe.

  • Count the Candies contest
The winner is the person closest to the number and will be announced towards the end of the festival. There will be two huge jars and the winners get to take them home.

  • Photograph competition:
Students will vote on ballots for which photo is their favourite.  The winner of the picture will be announced later in the day with 2 tickets to Calaway Park being the prize

  • Where in Canada? 
Students will look at photos of places throughout Canada and will have to guess where they were taken. The winner will be receive a gift certificate to Wal-Mart. 

  • Raffle: Door Prize raffle 
Each person who comes to the festival will receive one ticket and then there will be a draw towards the end of the festival for 2 passes to Heritage Park.

  • Forest Lawn Football Toss:
The students will have to toss a Football to win a prize.  They get 3 tosses and if they get all 3 tosses in a target they can get a “prize”.  Prizes include a mix of school supplies and toys.

  • World Map: 
We will have a world map on one of the walls and all in attendance can put a star sticker on the map of where they are from.

  • Conversation cards:
We will have conversation cards set up at the tables for people to start conversations with new people.

FOR THE KIDS
  • Face Painting: 
  • Foam crafts:
  • Foam paper will be at the craft table to be decorated as memorabilia.  
  • Monster Truck Painting:  
  • Flip flop sandal craft: