At one time in January, I received an invitation to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald for a Intercultural Dialogue Friendship Dinner. I had almost forgot about it and didn't know anything about it until Ryan Jespersen of BT Edmonton reminded me of it a few days before. I was not even sure if I should attend as I could not find an email or any information about it. I wondered why they would pick an ordinary citizen like me to attend this. I checked the website on a previous dinner and suddenly became excited about it when I saw that many people from politicians to influential people in the community would be there. It's not that I wanted to attend some "hoity- toty" event, but rather that I would be honoured to be in their presence.
I arrived to find many people from what I thought were from the eastern countries of the world. I learned later that many were from the country Turkey. I became educated on small aspects of their culture as the night ensued. I was intrigued by their country slide show which was presented during dinner. I was moved by a performer's playing of his flute which was so much like the Native flute in Canada. To feel it touch my heart in the same way, bridged the gap between them and me in the way of music. There was an artist there who did art with water and drops of what I presume was oil.
Our table 13 had two children who greeted us at the entrance with little candy and they were in their Turkish outfits. They were adorable and well mannered. Their mother never had to scold them at the table and told us they are very privileged to be there in the no children event.
I was able to introduce myself as First Nation roots but raised by a German Mother and Swiss Father who adopted me. Therefore, I felt sort of neat to say that I was also of Swiss citizenship which I received when I was adopted.
At our table, I learned of different roots of the ones at my table. One beautiful lady from the University of Alberta was from United States and her Father was African American and her Mother was German. Another man's roots were from Norway and a lady's roots came from England. So, everyone had different walks of life and occupations, but that even seemed to connect us on one common ground. Even though everyone came from various backgrounds, it really meant nothing at the present moment because we were all Canadian citizens contributing to life in our own God given ways.
The following information is from the Intercultural Institute's website to explain about their Friendship dinner.
Annual Dialogue & Friendship Dinners IDI dinners are organized to contribute to the progress of intercultural-interfaith dialogue and peace. With the participation of esteemed guests and people from different faiths, cultures, and ethnicities, these gatherings have come to symbolize our desire to achieve a genuine cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
IDI hosts the Dialogue & Friendship Dinners in many cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Since 2004, each of these dinners has served approximately 200 attendees; who come from all walks of life; including the members of the government, members of parliament; ambassadors, bureaucrats, business people, media members, professors, as well as religious and community leaders.
So, I walk away from this experience thankful that I chose to spend some time with the community of Edmonton instead of watch a certain hockey game in which they lost anyways. I was filled with a passion for people and a hunger for more relationships of beautiful souls, that know no color. Yes, I passed out my business card, but not with the intention to make new clients, but rather to connect in the future if possible.
If you want to search some tweets from last night, Please type hash tag: #yegdialogue
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