Kitchener – Friday, February 20, 2009 is the fourth annual Heritage Day at the St. Francis campus of the St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres

Adult students celebrate who they are and where they came from! Students get together and display their cultures with arts, crafts, clothing, pictures, photos, music, food and possibly entertainment.

As part of Canada’s Heritage Week, St. Francis’ Heritage Day is a celebration of traditions and cultures from around the world. More than 100 adult English-as-a-Second –Language (ESL) students display crafts, photos, currency, foods, maps, and national flags along with demonstrations of traditional dress, dance, and games providing colourful, informative insight into their countries of heritage.

Valuing and respecting people’s differences and heritage are in everyone’s interest; it creates a richer, more innovative environment.

Tabletop displays, presentations, music performances and festivities celebrate the values of diversity and multiculturalism. This festival offers students and the community at large the opportunity to step outside their familiar zones and into other worlds (without leaving Kitchener). Each individual is a treasure but taken together as a whole, the people in the school are truly an amazing tapestry. The fact that the St. Francis Heritage Day is now celebrating its 4th anniversary is a testament to the resonance and importance in the community.

It has grown into the thriving, exciting, engaging and inclusive festival because it has offered what people want: diverse and original culture, delicious food, and a wonderful sense of community spirit..

Embracing diversity leads to acceptance, respect, unity, friendship, happiness and harmony.

The St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres currently serve more than 1,000 adult ESL learners at five locations across Waterloo Region.

The St. Louis ESL program – and celebrations such as Heritage Day are fine examples of the school’s commitment to providing quality, inclusiveness, adult learning experience for people of all faiths and cultures.