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When we enter the church on Pascha,” says Father Justin Hewlett, Rector for St John of Shanghai in East Vancouver. “I cry out ‘Christ is risen!’ cuing the response, ‘Indeed, He is risen!’”[Read more…]
For some Iranians, the word “Persian” transcends geography. Although Persians represent one of several ethnic groups that make up the Islamic Republic of Iran, the word is also commonly used as a synonym for Iranian. [Read more…]
Since the early 1900s, March 8 has been set aside as a day to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women across the globe. Here in Vancouver, the day is a reminder of how far gender equality has come, and how far it still needs to go. [Read more…]
Daniel Caicedo woke up one morning to find a castle outside his window. He went to Norwich, England, on academic exchange through the University of British Columbia’s Go Global program and had arrived the night before. “That building,” he says “is older than any of my grandparents … than the entire country of Canada, older than anything I’ve ever seen in my life.” [Read more…]
As Metro Vancouver’s population becomes increasingly diverse, more opportunities blossom for individuals to form relationships with someone from a different ethno-cultural background. Cross-cultural relationships vary according to individual characteristics such as generational status, birthplace and particular visible minority groups. They could be comprised of one visible minority group member and one non-member, or of individuals who belong to two different visible minority groups. [Read more…]
Although widely used throughout the world, the Gregorian calendar is not the only one around and not the only one with New Year’s celebrations in January. On Jan. 23, many Asian and non-Asian communities are gearing up for Lunar New Year celebrations of their own. [Read more…]
Established in 1974, the Vancouver Multicultural Society is the longest serving agency in British Columbia with the sole purpose of promoting multiculturalism. The agency acts as a base for ethno-cultural groups and organizations to come together and engage in dialogue. The society currently consists of a multitude of non-governmental organizations, ethno-cultural groups, private companies, as well as individuals. Their goal is to advance multiculturalism, social justice and anti-racism. [Read more…]
From the burning down of oppressive governments by the “Arab Spring,” to the building of “Occupy” movements across North America, 2011 is the year of the collective individual grouping together to promote change. [Read more…]
Your friend introduces you to someone. Automatically, your right hand reaches out for an enthusiastic handshake. The other person leans in for a beso beso – a kiss on each cheek. Next thing you know, you’re pumping a fist full of oxygen, and they’re exchanging dainty kisses with thin air. Awkward. [Read more…]
Simon Fraser University has released a comprehensive study on discriminatory recruiting practices in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. The research project, which was conducted by the Metropolis British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Diversity, concludes that employment recruiters tend to favour applicants with English names over applicants with Indian or Asian names. They also tend to regard a new Canadian’s application as less qualified, even if their international experience and academic qualifications, from high-ranking foreign universities, match those of English applicants. [Read more…]
Rain. If you’ve lived in Vancouver for any length of time, you come to know it well. It’s so inherently a part of the city’s culture and history that some long time residents try not to notice it anymore, and newcomers seemed prepared. [Read more…]
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, home made buns and pumpkin pie topped with ice cream. If you’re salivating and thinking Thanksgiving, you’re exactly right. These are the perfect ingredients for your typical Canadian Thanksgiving dinner – and no, we didn’t copy the celebration from our cousins in the United States. It’s our very own. [Read more…]
Presenting cinematic marvel from the world over, the 2011 Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) will take audiences from the northern skies of Nunavut all the way to the sands of Africa. This year’s line up includes the winner of HotDocs Best Canadian Feature Length, Family Portraits in Black & White by Julia Ivanova. Exploring sadness, devastation, isolation and life’s cruel injustice, Ivanova takes our hearts and minds on a journey through the darkness bi-racial orphans experienced in the former Soviet Union. [Read more]
