Grand River Friendship Society successfully hosted United in Voices: Intercultural Dialogue Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Victoria Park Pavilion and the surrounding areas of Victoria Park.

The free public festival welcomed an estimated 1,000+ cumulative participants and brought together six dialogue speakers, 46 performers, seven cultural performances, more than 10 community organizations and cultural groups, and 75 volunteers.

Made possible with funding from the Government of Canada through the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, the festival offered a full day of intercultural dialogue, artistic expression, youth engagement, cultural learning, community participation, and live music. The program concluded with a vibrant two-hour outdoor concert by Duende Kings, creating a memorable celebration of diversity, inclusion, belonging, and community connection.

United in Voices created an accessible public space where individuals and families from different cultural, racial, religious, and social backgrounds could meet, share experiences, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships.

Throughout the festival, participants explored how respectful dialogue, intercultural understanding, creative expression, and meaningful community engagement can help reduce prejudice, challenge stereotypes, address racism and discrimination, and strengthen social cohesion.

The festival reflected GRFS’s commitment to building welcoming communities where every person feels respected, represented, valued, and included.

Indigenous Cultural Opening Sets a Respectful Tone

The festival began with a meaningful Indigenous cultural opening led by Elder Myeengun Henry, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper at the University of Waterloo.

His contribution created a thoughtful and respectful beginning to a program centred on listening, learning, reconciliation, cultural understanding, and building stronger relationships across communities.

Elder Henry later joined the intercultural dialogue panel, where he shared his knowledge, experience, and perspectives with festival participants.

Six Voices Lead an Important Intercultural Dialogue

A central part of United in Voices was the intercultural dialogue panel, which brought together six respected voices from Indigenous, faith-based, academic, municipal, and community backgrounds.

The discussion was moderated by:

Rumina Morris
Director of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI), City of Kitchener

The panelists were:

Elder Myeengun Henry
Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, University of Waterloo

Leanne Darlington
Pastor, Trillium Lutheran Church

Kim Buchanan
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team, University of Waterloo

Albert Frolov
Lecturer, Respect Graduate School and University of Toronto

Michael Rashid Taylor
Imam, Member of the Canadian Council of Imams, and Regional Chaplain with Correctional Service Canada

Together, the moderator and panelists explored themes related to racism, discrimination, identity, reconciliation, equity, faith, inclusion, belonging, and the shared responsibilities involved in building a more respectful and connected society.

The dialogue encouraged participants to reflect on the experiences of people from different cultural, racial, religious, and social backgrounds and on the importance of recognizing and challenging prejudice, harmful assumptions, and stereotypes.

The discussion also emphasized the roles of education, empathy, active listening, institutional responsibility, and community participation in creating inclusive spaces where everyone can feel respected and valued.

By bringing together different voices and lived experiences, the panel demonstrated how respectful dialogue can build trust, deepen understanding, and strengthen relationships across cultural, religious, and social differences.

Youth-Led Workshops Turn Ideas into Creative Action

Youth participation was an important part of both the preparation and delivery of United in Voices.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, young people participated in creative workshops focused on peace, social challenges, community responsibility, and their hopes for a more compassionate and inclusive world.

During the Threads of Peace: Building Community Through Art workshop, youth and community members created individual artistic pieces inspired by peace, hope, compassion, growth, and global community. Each piece expressed a unique perspective while contributing to a larger collective vision of unity and belonging.

The Imagining a Better World Through Art workshop invited participants to consider a simple but powerful question:

“What is one thing you would change about the world?”

Working collaboratively, young people explored topics including the environment, poverty, education, bullying, and health through group discussions, shared reflection, and artistic expression.

A dedicated youth workshop stand at the festival displayed the ideas and creative work developed through these sessions. The stand ensured that youth perspectives were visible and demonstrated how art can help young people engage with complex social issues and contribute to positive community change.

The Dialogue Tent Creates Space for Open Conversation

A dedicated Dialogue Tent provided an additional space for informal conversations, reflection, and community connection throughout the festival.

Visitors were invited to sit together, exchange perspectives, share personal experiences, and engage in respectful conversations with people they may not otherwise have had an opportunity to meet.

The Dialogue Tent reflected the central purpose of United in Voices by encouraging participants to listen, ask thoughtful questions, discover shared experiences, and approach differences with openness and curiosity.

These conversations reminded participants that meaningful community change often begins with a willingness to listen to and learn from one another.

Advancing Anti-Racism, Inclusion and Belonging

Anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and belonging were central to the purpose and design of United in Voices.

The festival gave participants opportunities to engage directly with cultures, traditions, stories, and perspectives different from their own. These encounters encouraged curiosity, empathy, mutual understanding, and more respectful community relationships.

The dialogue panel, youth workshops, cultural performances, community booths, Dialogue Tent, and informal conversations allowed participants to learn directly from one another rather than relying on stereotypes or assumptions.

The festival also increased the visibility of diverse communities and created space for groups to share their identities, experiences, traditions, concerns, and contributions with the wider public.

United in Voices reinforced the message that diversity should not only be recognized, but also respected, represented, and meaningfully included in community life.

Seven Cultural Performances Feature 46 Performers

The festival featured seven cultural performances involving 46 performers, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of Waterloo Region.

Festival participants enjoyed performances and presentations from the Ukrainian community, the African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area (ACAWRA), and the Eritrean community.

A special Ney musical performance brought a reflective and traditional element to the program. This was followed by a performance from the Rastgele Turkish Music Group, which shared Turkish musical heritage with the audience.

Each performance brought a distinct cultural voice to the festival while contributing to a shared atmosphere of celebration, friendship, cultural appreciation, and connection.

By presenting different cultural traditions within one public event, the festival demonstrated how music, dance, and artistic expression can create understanding and connection across language, identity, and background.

Community Organizations Share Their Cultures and Services

More than 10 community organizations, cultural groups, publications, and local initiatives hosted information and engagement booths during the festival.

Participating communities and organizations included:

• Ukrainian Community

• Eritrean Community

• Kazakh Community

• Egyptian Community

• Turkish Community

• Syrian Community

• Mennonite Central Committee

• Métis Nation of Ontario

• Centre for Mutual Wellbeing for Racialized Communities

• Region of Waterloo’s We All Belong Here initiative

• YANKI Magazine

The booths gave visitors opportunities to learn about cultural traditions, community programs, local services, publications, volunteer opportunities, and resources available throughout Waterloo Region.

The YANKI Magazine stand highlighted community stories, diverse cultural perspectives, and the important role media can play in strengthening representation and community connection.

These spaces enabled participating communities and organizations to present their work directly to the public, increase their visibility, build new relationships, and explore future opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

They also supported the festival’s anti-racism and inclusion goals by creating direct opportunities for mutual learning and respectful engagement across cultures and identities.

Interactive Activities Welcome Families and Children

United in Voices also offered interactive and family-friendly activities for children, youth, families, and visitors of all ages.

A henna stand introduced participants to a traditional form of artistic and cultural expression, while the face painting stand brought colour, creativity, and joy to younger festival visitors.

Together with the youth workshop stand, community booths, cultural performances, and Dialogue Tent, these activities created a warm and accessible atmosphere where people could participate in ways that matched their interests and comfort levels.

Community Leaders Join United in Voices

Grand River Friendship Society was honoured to welcome several elected representatives and community leaders:

• Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, City of Kitchener

• Aislinn Clancy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre

• Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo

• Matt Strauss, Member of Parliament for Kitchener South—Hespeler

Their attendance reflected support for intercultural dialogue, anti-racism, inclusive public programming, and initiatives that bring people together across cultural and community backgrounds.

GRFS also extends its sincere appreciation to the City of Kitchener for its support of inclusive community life and for helping foster public spaces where residents from diverse backgrounds can come together, feel welcomed, share their cultures, and build meaningful connections.

GRFS sincerely appreciates the participation of our elected representatives and community leaders, as well as their willingness to engage with speakers, performers, community organizations, volunteers, families, and festival visitors.

Eda Dede also addressed festival participants and made significant contributions to the planning, coordination, and successful delivery of United in Voices. Her dedication, leadership, and continued support before, during, and after the event played an important role in creating a welcoming and well-organized experience. GRFS extends its sincere and heartfelt appreciation to her for the time, care, and commitment she contributed to this important community initiative.

Duende Kings Close the Festival with a Two-Hour Concert

The festival concluded as planned with a special two-hour live concert by Duende Kings in Victoria Park.

Free and open to the public, the concert brought together festival participants, families, park visitors, community members, and music lovers for a joyful outdoor celebration.

Duende Kings brought energy, excitement, and a vibrant musical atmosphere to Victoria Park, creating a memorable conclusion to a day dedicated to culture, dialogue, inclusion, friendship, and unity.

GRFS extends special appreciation to Juneyt Yetkiner of Duende Kings for his valued contribution, collaboration, and support in helping make the concert such an important and memorable part of the festival.

The concert demonstrated the power of music to cross cultural and linguistic boundaries and bring people together through a shared experience.

More Than 1,000 People Engaged

Based on cumulative attendance across the panel discussion, cultural performances, youth activities, community booths, Dialogue Tent, interactive programming, and public concert, it is estimated that more than 1,000 people attended or engaged with United in Voices over the course of the day.

This level of participation demonstrated strong community interest in free and accessible public events that create opportunities for dialogue, cultural learning, artistic expression, youth leadership, and social connection.

The diversity of participants, performers, speakers, organizations, volunteers, and visitors also reflected the importance of creating public spaces where people from different backgrounds can see themselves represented and welcomed as valued members of the community.

Made Possible by the Government of Canada

United in Voices: Intercultural Dialogue Festival was made possible with funding from the Government of Canada through the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program.

Grand River Friendship Society is sincerely grateful for this support, which enabled us to offer a free and accessible public festival focused on reducing prejudice, challenging stereotypes, strengthening intercultural understanding, promoting inclusion, and building a stronger sense of community belonging.

This funding helped bring together speakers, performers, young people, volunteers, community organizations, families, elected representatives, and residents from across Waterloo Region.

It also created meaningful opportunities for dialogue, cultural representation, youth participation, artistic expression, and community engagement in a welcoming public setting.

Heartfelt Appreciation

Grand River Friendship Society extends its deepest appreciation to every person and organization that helped transform the vision of United in Voices into a successful and meaningful community experience.

We sincerely thank:

• Our moderator and panel speakers

• Elder Myeengun Henry for leading the Indigenous cultural opening

• The youth who participated in the United in Voices preparation workshops

• Youth facilitators, mentors, and workshop volunteers

• Duende Kings and all participating performers

• The Ney performer and Rastgele Turkish Music Group

• Ukrainian, African, Eritrean, and all other participating cultural communities

• Every organization, initiative, publication, and cultural group that hosted a booth

• YANKI Magazine

• Everyone who contributed to the Dialogue Tent, youth workshop stand, henna stand, and face painting activities

• Our elected representatives and honoured guests

• Community partners, supporters, suppliers, and technical teams

• Event staff and coordinators

• The 75 volunteers who contributed their time, care, and energy before, during, and after the festival

• Every family, young person, senior, visitor, and community member who attended

We are especially grateful to everyone who worked behind the scenes. Their planning, creativity, coordination, care, and commitment transformed the vision of United in Voices into a welcoming and memorable public event.

To everyone who attended, participated, performed, spoke, volunteered, supported, promoted, or contributed in any way, thank you for becoming part of this special day.

United in Voices reminded us that building inclusive and welcoming communities requires more than bringing people into the same space. It requires listening to one another, recognizing the impacts of racism and discrimination, challenging stereotypes, creating equitable opportunities for participation, and ensuring that every person feels respected, represented, valued, and included.

When people come together through culture, dialogue, art, youth leadership, and music, differences can become opportunities for understanding, friendship, learning, and stronger communities.

Different cultures. Shared community. United in voices.