Raising the Curtain puts diversity on display

By Medicine Hat News on March 23, 2019.

This past week marked the third annual “Raising the Curtain,” with events happening throughout the city to showcase the topic of diversity.

“When we look at diversity, we really look at it being anything that makes you who you are, makes you different as a person,” said Ashley Howes, a community resource worker with the City of Medicine Hat.

“That discussion is always important, from the youngest people we have, to the oldest people we have.”

The festivities began Sunday with a multicultural potluck, which was hosted by The Connection – the local intercultural association.

There’s also a production of SHINE! A Celebration of Culture, Music and Dance, put on by Saamis Immigration, which Howes described as a “beautiful” and “wonderful” show.

“Raising the Curtain” brought the Medicine Hat Police Service dog Mulder to the Veiner Centre, for senior citizens to spend some time with. The MHPS also co-hosted a “Women Building Communities Together” talk.

There was a pre-school story-time event at the library Friday, which included diversity cupcakes, and in the evening there was a swimming event at the Family Leisure Centre.

“Raising the Curtain” wraps up tonight, with the Human Library, where the public can take out people instead of books at the Medicine Hat Public Library, who tell them about their unique experiences, followed by a screening of the movie “Inside Out” in the MHPL theatre.

“We really like to think of it as something for everyone,” said Howes.

Though some people may not realize how diverse and eventful the Hat is, she says this series of events demonstrates otherwise.

“Every year it just gets bigger and bigger … If you look at the event schedule we have, it really does speak to the amount of diversity we have in the city,” Howes said.

“Anything that starts a conversation about what diversity means is important to us, so we want people to come out, experience the events, take them in, ask the questions and immerse themselves in everything we have to offer.”

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