This photo is of the Vancouver Lookout located on Hastings Street and Seymour in downtown Vancouver. It is the place I went to with my friend a few weeks ago after our Harbour Cruise but I didn't take any photos from the top .
Vancouver's Mayor, Gregor Robertson, proclaimed the week of June 22, 2018 as Swahili Community Day. The inaugural celebration of this event took place on Friday evening at the Jambo Grill, an African Indian Restaurant on Kingsway Street in Vancouver.
It was a fabulous and fun celebration with music and live entertainment provided by the terrific Kurai blessing Mubaiwa, cultural ambassador from Zimbabwe (now living in Vancouver).
Raffle tickets were sold for various prizes such as food gift certificates from Kenya Food and Spices and meals from Jambo Grill. Topping it off was the big prize for a return trip to Africa through the generosity of Kenyan Airways. Sadly I was not the winner of the trip to Africa but I'm sure the winner will enjoy it very much.
Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa is also the lead vocalist in the group, Zimbamoto which will be playing at this year's African Descent Festival. Check out the schedule African Descent Festival 2018. It looks likes many fabulous entertainers will be there.
I had fun attending this event with some of my Tanzanian friends. The event is meant to bring together all Swahili speaking peoples in the Lower Mainland ensure a sense of cultural and linguistic continuity from the motherland to Canada. At this event there were a lot of Burundians and some Tanzanians. In future I hope to see more people from Kenya join in the event.
Joining in with
Interesting event! I like the first picture of the look out tower. I am sure the scene must be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSounds like lots of fun. I am surprised though that so many live there. Have a great week Diane
ReplyDeleteIt was tremendous fun. For a long time we tended to have people from the Caribbean and most of them settled in Toronto. These days we are attracting people from all over the continent of Africa. I love that.
DeleteOh Penny, how wonderful. I'm thrilled that your community has such an event and it looks like loads of fun. I loved the happy smiles and I'll bet the music was terrific!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time, even though you didn't win. There were some adorable kids there!
ReplyDeleteSpecial weeks or days are a good way to learn about the culture of others. Many are not exposed to other cultures as we are.
ReplyDeleteI love it when cities make such proclamations to help make people have community when their families are so far away.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lively week, and a lot of smiles and joy!! Enjoy the festivities and have a blessed week!!!
ReplyDeleteHello, the tower is pretty. Wonderful photos from the celebration. The smiling kiddies are adorable. Enjoy your day and new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful candid captures!
ReplyDeleteEveryone looks happy and having a great time. Love all the pictures you took.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of the tiger at the entrance to the grill.
Hi! Nice post. I also stayed Vancouver a week two years ago. I enjoyed a sightseeing by seaplane too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesounds and looks like it was a great event. Enjoy the rest of your week and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
ReplyDeleteHappy and fun series of photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
The old town looks the same, but the population is changing and I, for one, believe it is changing for the better. Diversity is key to understanding and appreciation. I'm proud of Gregor Robertson for establishing this new opportunity for British Columbians to get to know one another.
ReplyDeleteKay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
That looks like fun. It's been too many years since I've seen that tall building!
ReplyDeleteOh bow I wish I could've been there for this incredible event, Penny. So glad you now have a Swahili Community day in your city!
ReplyDeleteThrough the video, I can see and hear why you enjoy your visits to Africa. I loved that so many people in the restaurant were singing along … that's what I call community!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I may not be commenting as often for the next few weeks since I will have my in-laws visiting from the UK. We are going to have a great time!
Must have been a very funny event, your pictures tell a lot !
ReplyDeleteI am glad we do have swahili day and lets have branch everywhere Canada with Vigorawards international to honor the Unsung Heroes
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