Calgary’s 2009 Global Fest

Calgary hosts an annual multi-cultural festival which includes a fire work festival in August. The first of its kind was back in 2003 and it has been growing ever since. Its main focus is to bring about a cultural awareness and the more obvious economic development for Alberta province. This year the fest was held 14-29 August. It had its customary firework competition as well. We managed to go only for the finale on 29th August 2009, which assured of cultural performances from different countries as well as a fire work display at the very end.

We decided to go with our new found friends Mujir and Avanti. Since the tickets weren’t available online, we bought them at the nearst Co-op store (a co-operative provision and grocery store). As suggested by the event organisers, we parked our car at a nearby mall and took the shuttle service provided to reach the place – Elliston Park, East Calgary.

The park was very pretty – developed around a large pond, they had put up tents (pavilions) for showcasing participating countries’ specialities, there was a separate set of pavilions dedicated to food – where each tent was allocated to a participating country. The food was surprisingly good. Though Sharan and I weren’t very hungry, we tried the food Mujir bought – South Indian Kababs (tasted similar to Empire Kababs) and Cuban Samosas (not sure what they are called). The organizers had put up 3 stages to showcase the music and dance of the participating countries. The atmosphere was vibrant – people were really enjoying soaking up the sun. There were many weirdly dressed people as well.

We parked ourselves near the stage in the beer garden. The most interesting dances were the Ukrainian, Russian and the Salsa dances. The MOST terrible was none other than Indian. While all other countries preferred their professional troupes to participate, our Indian association decided to put up a kids’ talent show like you would see in an apartment complex. The dancers had no rhythem, expressions, training and common sense. The “Punju Aunty” who choreographed the whole thing stood by proudly and animatedly prompting the next steps. GOSH! It was such an embarrassment.

After the torture, we decided to head towards the waterfront across which the firework display was set up. More than half of Calgary population seemed to be there too. The max no. of people we have seen since we came. People sat all around the water front. They were fully equipped with portable chairs, blankets and camera. We just had the camera. The display was spectacular – though we have seen lots of fireworks back home, this was something unusual – it was automated – not sure how. More importantly it was synchronized to music. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

At the end of the display, it took us nearly 2 hrs for us to get back to the car park and then home. Though it was a long day we were all excited about our trip next day to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine – our first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.

Info: http://www.globalfest.ca/
Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/akshatakaranth/GlobalFest2009?feat=email#