A fascinating means of exploring the diversities of cultural richness is coming up soon at Burman University,
Hosted by the Burman Black Student Alliance (BBSA), 'Cultural Collision' runs Feb. 1 in the Burman University Fitness Centre, starting at 7 p.m.
"It's about having various cultures come together under the same roof, with everyone sharing a bit about their own culture," said Tamara van Rensburg, one of the sponsors of the BBSA (along with Tyler Saunders), and a counsellor at the school as well.
"This could be sharing about it through food, exhibits, or a performance. In the past, there have been dances, singing, people sharing stories, and people have also been selling food because that's a big part of many cultures," she said, adding there are student groups slated to take part, as well as groups and organizations from the wider community as well.
"Our theme this year is Roots and Rhythm, a celebration of the foundations and structures that have fostered the resiliency of cultural groups in society,"
Cultural Collision also coincides with the start of Black History Month. It's an event that was held in past years, but this is the first one to run post-pandemic.
Highlights include performances by the African Culture Club, the Acronaires, the Filipino Club, and Drumline, among others.
van Rensburg noted that Cultural Collision is also about building awareness about the cultural richness that are very much a part of the community, and of course Burman University as well.
It also provides an ideal setting for building connections, she added.
"Often we think we are so different, but then when we come together in spaces like these, we recognize the many similarities we do share. So again, it's all about connection.
"It's also about learning, and understanding a bit more about the various cultures that are represented not only on our campus, but within Lacombe as well. With cutures, yes, there are differences...but with differences can come uniqueness."
van Rensburg hasn't been at a past Cultural Collision event, but she's very encouraged by the feedback she has heard from those who have been both on the planning end of things, and others were took part in some way in past years.
"I know that people have really enjoyed it," she said, adding the array of international foods have always been a consistent hit. "One of my workmates was also saying she really enjoyed it when there had been a couple of students who had performed a cultural song. She was just spellbound by it, and also really enjoyed learning about the various cultures."
van Rensburg also encourages everyone to drop by and check it out - it's by no means just a Burman University event, but rather a celebration for the community at large.
Meanwhile, as mentioned, both van Rensburg and Saunders are sponsors of the BBSA.
"We meet once a month, and we try to do an event on campus at least once or twice a semester," she said.
"There are several cultural clubs on our campus, and the purpose for these clubs is that Burman is a multi-cultural university. The clubs often put on various events to help people learn about the cultures that are on campus," she explained.
The clubs are also a means for members to come together, share their stories, and connect with each other, too.
For van Rensburg, her ties to Burman go back to the days when she was a student there as well.
"It holds a special place in my heart - I'm proud to be working here, and to be working with these amazing students. They are always willing to help. They have that 'sense of service' within them, too.
"I love the amazing and resilient young people I get to meet," she said, adding it's inspiring to watch their tremendous growth during their time on campus as well.
Ultimately, she's hoping more folks from Lacombe and the local region will become more familiar with Burman, and she sees the Cultural Connection event as a key means of helping to make that happen even more.
"We want the community to come and see what we are about."
Those interested in hosting a booth ($40 for community members) are asked to email bbsa@burmanu.ca for further details.