This year, Canada is celebrating its 150th year of Confederation at home and through its embassies around the world.

The vision for Canada150 is to inspire Canadians to connect with each other, to celebrate shared values, achievements, the majesty of its environment and Canada’s place in the world, said Chargé d’Affaires of the Office of the Embassy of Canada in Vientiane, Ms Lee-Anne Hermann at a press conference on Mar 15.

She explained that sharing Canadian culture and values with the Lao people is a way for us to celebrate together our important anniversary.

Since opening the Office of the Embassy of Canada in September 2015, bilateral, trade and development relations between Canada and Laos have grown.

“In 2016, both Canada’s foreign and international trade ministers came to Vientiane for ASEAN-related meetings, and also met with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, government ministers, Canadian companies, civil society and members of the Canadian community living in Vientiane. These are not only government-to-government, but also people-to-people ties,” said Ms Hermann.

Canadians feel at home in ASEAN, celebrating 40 years as a dialogue partner. Canada has also enjoyed a strong relationship with Laos with over 60 years of friendship and over 40 years of diplomatic relations.

Ms Hermann pointed out that Canada is committed to strengthening its relationship with Laos and the ASEAN region.

In recent years, Canada has provided funding in such varied areas as UXO clearance, the mitigation of biological threats, the strengthening of border controls, and anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing.

Canada was built upon principles of diversity and inclusion and has used both French and English as its official languages since the Confederation began in 1867. Today, this theme continues to persist as over 200 different languages are used in Canada.

Diversity and inclusion are key components of Canadian identity.  Canada150 aims to highlight this as a key and integral part of Canadian culture. Canada150 also looks to inspire and encourage Canadian youth to engage more at home and abroad, as well as advocating for environmental stewardship.

In line with these themes, the Office of the Embassy of Canada will be hosting a number of events this month to mark Canada’s 150th year of Confederation. Highlighting First Nations culture, two artists from Canada are here in Vientiane to showcase their talents and also to conduct workshops with local students.

Jeremy Dutcher is a First Nations emerging composer and vocal artist. His music combines both classical and traditional operatic power with the tuneful melodies of his Wolastoq (Maliseet) Nation. He will be performing a free concert at the Institut Francais du Laos on March 16 at 7pm.

Chef Quentin Glabus specializes in Canadian cuisine with aboriginal influences, also known as “Modern Indigenous Cuisine”. Using a combination of traditional First Nations and modern cooking techniques, Chef Quentin Glabus has created his own approach to fusion aboriginal cuisine. His cuisine will be featured at Le Silapa on Mar 16 where he has created a 5 course First Nations inspired cuisine.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL

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