New Multicultural Fall Fair This Year

During the past five Fall Fairs, there have always been the usual favourite activities such as inflatable games, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting as well as artistic exhibits at the Country Club and musical acts under the big white tent.

However, organizers decided this year to add a new twist – a multicultural one. “If you look at TMR’s demographics, anywhere from 25 to 30 per cent of residents are members of an ethnic background, have immigrated from another country, or speak another language besides English or French,” declared councillor Melpa Kamateros, who is of Greek origin. “It’s a richness that we should try to bring out.”

According to the 2001 census, the latest one available, recent immigrants have come mostly from France, Lebanon, and Egypt. Other major ethnic minorities include Jewish, Greek, and Italian as well as South-East Asian, Chinese, and people of African origin.

In keeping with this cultural diversity, the new Council’s electoral platform included a recognition of this new local reality that will be stressed during the upcoming September 29th Fall Fair. It promises to present a richness to savour – both figuratively and literally.

With assistance from outside cultural groups, there will be several shows under the big tent. Starting at 11h30, there will be Greek dancing from L’Ensemble Zorba, Chinese Lion dancing, Chinese opera and a Kung Fu demonstration, Filipino folk dancing, traditional Vietnamese music and dance, West African dance performed by Zal Idrissa Sissokho, and, finally, the Troupe Polonaise Podhals.

At the Country Club, the local artistic group TRAM will put on an art exhibit with proceeds going to the upcoming Terry Fox Run as well as a photo exhibit of TMR churches, and a clothing exhibit from the Musée du costume et du textile du Québec. Children aged four to 11 from local schools will also be able to take part in an art workshop and exhibit.

For the taste buds, you will be able to enjoy dishes from several countries at a minimal fee. Bangladeshi food will include rice, lentils, salads, curry vegetarian dishes, and the sweet Gulab jamun dessert made of a dough consisting mainly of milk solids in a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom seeds and rosewater or saffron. The Greek cuisine will be souvlaki, cheese and spinach treats, and baklava.

From Romania will come smoked artisanal sausages, its version of Sauerkraut, and Mici a kind of grilled meatballs made from beef (sometimes mixed with mutton and pork), which contain garlic, black pepper, and sometimes a touch of paprika. And from Vietnam there will be Imperial rolls and traditional desserts as well as a wine-making presentation.

As if that’s not enough, the children’s library will present story-telling of authors from other lands and make available similar books to take out. Starting September 27, the Town will also hold a silent auction of artwork, dinner certificates, and sports items (among other items) in the Town Hall’s Royalmount Room and on its website with proceeds going to the Fondation de l’art public de Mont-Royal.

Kamateros would very much like to see an exchange and sharing of our local cultures and expressed hope that “all in all a good time will be had by everyone.”