TIES Multicultural Festival Welcomes 1000+ Guests to Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion

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More than 1000 people turned out for the 14^th annual TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) Multicultural Festival on Sept. 4^th at TIES’ Westwinds location.

The TIES Choir, lead by LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) Senior Manager Jana Ciobanu, along with TIES staff from across all departments including CEO Sally Zhao, kicked off the event singing O Canada.  

“I was very pleased with how it went,” says TIES Partnerships & Public Relations Specialist Ava Waugh, who spearheaded the festival planning.

“It was the biggest one yet.”

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Talent at TIES

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The highlights of this year’s festival included a talent show featuring numerous singers and dancers, along with a fashion show showcasing cultural outfits from 16 different countries!  

Participating in both: current and former students along with their instructors, program coordinators, managers and many more!

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Patricia Len, an instructor with LINC and lead organizer of the fashion show, says it’s a huge boost for TIES students, who come from more than 80 different countries!

“I think it’s because they can really show their culture,” Len says. “They’re really proud of that.”

“A lot of them can’t express themselves because they don’t have the language to express themselves in English. But the way they express themselves is through what they’re wearing.”

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Exploring Entrepreneurs and Art

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The event also featured a very popular vendor’s market, with a multitude of amazing locally made goods, put on by former students of the TIES Entrepreneurship Program.  

Powerful artwork was also on display as part of the Voices in the Art Project, celebrating newcomer 2SLGBTQIA + youth, put on by the TIES Centre for Immigrant Research (TCIR).

“It's a great platform for everybody to learn from each other's cultures,” TIES Pres. & CEO Sally Zhao says. “It's a way to appreciate the differences between all of us.”

“I think these kinds of events are a tangible way for everyone to really see how we're all connected.”

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Community Connections

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A connection that is not possible without the community.  

TIES is very grateful for the support of four sponsors (MCG Career College, ATB Financial, BMO, ENMAX) and seven community partners, including members from the Calgary Police Service’s Diverse Resource Team.

Zhao says this is a great way to expel some fears.

“I think some cultures have a kind of fear of police services. Now our students can have a direct conversation with police officers in Canada.”

A conversation of inclusion that Zhao says needs to be had with the entire community, given the growing anti-immigration sentiment globally.

“It’s even more important, timewise, to show that we are stronger together.”

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TIES was also honoured to welcome three politicians (Jas Singh Hallam, Lizette Tejada and Raj Dhaliwal) who all shared powerful messages about the importance of multiculturalism in Calgary, Alberta and Canada.

Funding for the event was also made possible by the Government of Alberta and its Alberta Culture Days.

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Little Voices, Big Hearts

Unfortunately, a few of the performers couldn’t attend, but still participated off-site!

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Children from TIES Little Beginnings Urban Oasis Childcare putting on their own talent show – showcasing their sweet big voices and hearts.

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Thank you!

Staff:  Festival committee members and all staff that helped put this on!

Gold Sponsors: MCG Career College, ATB Financial  

Community Sponsors: BMO, ENMAX

Government Sponsors: Government of Alberta Culture Days  

Community Partners: Calgary Police Diversity Resource Team, Calgary Fire Dept., 311 Ambassadors Team, CEMA, Calgary 9-1-1 Team, Calgary Public Library

Politicians: Jas Singh Hallam, MP for Calgary East, Lizette Tejada, MLA for Calgary Klein, Raj Dhaliwal, City of Calgary Councillor Ward 5

TIES Board of Directors: M’Liss Edwards, Board Chair; Gita Boyd, Board Vice Chair; Nalini Plesche, Board Treasurer; Peter Plesche, Board Member

Media: Calgary Herald/Post Media, CTV Calgary, Livewire, Connect with Sarah Crosbie on QR77  

CTV News Calgary at 11:30 for Sept. 4, 2025 | 19:45- 20:34

Sixth annual TIES fashion show does diversity of Calgary - LiveWire Calgary

Multicultural event seen as counterpoint to anti-immigrant rhetoric | Calgary Herald

Connect with Sarah Crosbie on QR77

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Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:

Tomasia DaSilva

Media and Relationship Strategist

Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca

Phone: 403-291-0002

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