Alianait! A multicultural festival!

TINA ROSE

Iqaluit hosts its first multicultural arts festival this summer, Alianait! Alianait, an expression meaning “joy,” like “hooray!” is a festival that will give Iqalummiut a chance to participate and share their diverse cultures.

Taking place in several venues, Alianait will feature live music, music workshops, an arts and crafts exhibition, demonstration and sale, and a multicultural music jam. The festival starts June 21 and runs until July 1. (For a complete list of events, see Iqaluit This Week)

A collaboration between L’Association des francophones du Nunavut, the Iqaluit Music Society, the Iqaluit Artists Association, Qaggiq Theatre Group and the City of Iqaluit, the idea for the festival is a “blending of peoples,” says Ghislan Couture of the Francophone Centre.

“It will be cheap and cheerful the first time round,” says Heather Daley, President of The Iqaluit Music Society and, with Couture, a principal driver of the festival.

The organizers of this year’s festival count on donations, volunteers and ticket prices as they have no outside sponsors.

“Next year it will be a whole different story,” Daley said.

Proposals have been submitted to Heritage Canada, and if the funding doesn’t come through for this year, Daley is confident they’ll get more local support in 2006.

At a press conference on Monday, Daley also said, “I hope this will help underline the need for an arts and cultural centre here in Iqaluit.” The city of Iqaluit and the Rotary Club are currently studying the feasibility of building an arts centre.

At least 50 volunteers have already contributed to the festival, but more are needed. For information on how you can help, call festival coordinator Jeremie Duchesne at 979-4606 ext. 3.