The impact of immigrant cultures on small host societies: The example of he Moncton Armenian Festival. SYLVIA KASPARIAN UNIVERSITÉ DE MONCTON

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1 The impact of immigrant cultures on small host societies: The example of he Moncton Armenian Festival. SYLVIA KASPARIAN UNIVERSITÉ DE MONCTON

2 Immigration and intégration Immigration does not rhyme only with the word integration but also with culture and language contact. The influence is bidirectional, it is not only the immigrant who changes through their integration into the mainstream, the mainstream also changes in contact with the culture of the newcomers. The transformations are in both ways

3 The dual forces that transform human beings /communities human are moved buy two contradictory forces or movements Sedentarization movement Preservation/ past/tradition change /future Closerness/ Inwardness openness to others The point of balance created by the opposite(opposed) strengths is the evolution point. According to the strength of these two trend movements the point of balance can go more towards the opening or the closure, toward the closerness or openness, etc... The same oppositions operate between the 2 communities: mainstream and immigrant

4 Moncton, New-Brunswick The city of Moncton is a good example of that transformation brought by the immigration flow in the last 20 years. 30 years ago 2 solitudes and the shadow of an invisible Aboriginal community Actions undertaken by the province, the city, the francophone community, the anglophone communuty Moncton today : a new dynamic multicultural community MAGMA - CAFI Multicultural or ethnocultural events Different restaurant-food

5 The Armenian Festival of Moncton Multicultural festival MAGMA Mosaic 2005 CAIIMM_CAFI International film festival under the stars International francophone show Radio program All those event to bring local and immigrant population together, to educate on diversity. To valorize the immigrants culture comforting also their identities and creating a dialogue between cultures. The Moncton armenian festival had the same goal Since 2005 Every 2 years Run only by volonteers Grew fast from a very local to international festival in 6 editions

6 Aim of the Armenian festival The goal of the Moncton Armenian Festival is to promote Armenian culture in the Greater Moncton Area. But also making the local community aware of this civilisation 2000 years old civilization Finally we want that the local communities appropriate this culture. We do not want them to attend to elements of this culture but to live that culture from the inside. each edition mixes artists from local and immigrant communities and from different cities in Canada and other countries. Also different ages.. We want to reach all the generations and people from different culture. A stress is given to access the young generation

7 Each edition Each edition of the Armenian Festival is a voyage of discovery: from the origins of the great historic Armenia to the discovery of present-day Armenia and the significant Armenian diaspora throughout the world. To address the diversity and vivacity of a culture that was threatened with extinction at the onset of the first genocide of the 20 th century Every 2 years, Each edition brings out a specific aspect of Armenian culture, a different theme. Since 2005 we had the presentation of great Armenian artists pillars of the Armenian culture in Armenia or in the diaspora ancient and modern.

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14 Impacts on the mainstream society General knowledge-education : schools university, institutions, public in general, History Literature Filmography Visual Arts Music Food Education to diversity openness and different understanding of life Appropriation of the new culture exchanges- enrichness Economic impact- hotels restaurant businesses Sens of human solidarity

15 Exemples of activities, see our website With the schools PRESENTATION OF Parajanov, great Armenian artist to 100 students from École le Mascaret and Art project with them inspired by Parajanov collage technique. Visit of the exhebition from Parajanov Museum Armenia, 43 pieces at the art Gallery of the university The university masterclasses with Armenian international artists, from Armenia France and Montreal Participation of Art students with an exhibition on genocide and mass crime 2015 edition Cultural groups: 3 choirs of Moncton sang Armenian liturgic and folk songs see video 2015 edition Armenian eveningat the Sheraton : Armenian food and dancing 300person participated. Etc

16 Conclusion Yes this festival changed the mainstream population of Moncton, at least part of them There is an awareness of this culture, on genocide more widely. An appropriation of the culture by local artist, ex. the local choirs adopted the armenian repertoire for their own concert People ask every year what is in preparation for the next one, or when is the next one? Interest curiosity Local artist seek to participate to our festival and ask for it Etc, But still some reactions from some collegues asking why an Armenian event in Moncton or related to University of Moncton? Opening the knowledge, comprehension of otherness is a peace education in both ways