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Live music, painting and teenage acrobats flying through the air marked the launch of B.C.’s sixth annual Culture Days weekend. |
About 150 people attended the opening of the celebration of art and culture at the Britannia Shipyard’s Seine Net Loft last Thursday afternoon. Coast Salish elder and local resident Roberta Price gave a welcome and blessing, art produced from the recent Grand Prix of Art was displayed, Steveston’s Angelica Poversky performed slam poetry and there were performances by members of the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra, Fraser River Fiddlers, Richmond Gymnastics Association and Circus Lab, entertaining the crowds.
The abundance of art and culture and the nurturing it receives from the city are reasons why Richmond was chosen to host this year’s launch, said culture days coordinator Nazarin Shoja.
“Richmond has a host of activities and is really leading the province,” Shoja said, explaining the city was one of the first communities to start celebrating Culture Days. “There is so much going on in the City of Richmond, and the city and the people are very supportive.”
Besides viewing art and being entertained by live music, workshops were held, teaching beginner photography, embroidery, painting, calligraphy and different types of dancing.
“The best part is it’s all free,” Shoja added.
About 80 events were held at 35 locations throughout Richmond. Province-wide, an estimated 7,000 free events were held in 850 communities.
