Stories

September is a special month in which we can celebrate the culture and beauty of Crowsnest Pass together through Alberta Culture Days.

Starting in the early 1900s, people came from eastern and western Europe, the United States, and other parts of Canada to make a living in the coal mining valley of the Crowsnest Pass. They brought cultural traditions with them that have made the area a hotbed of artistic and musical creativity. Alberta Culture Days, which began in 2008, is an opportunity to discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture through local events and activities, in person and online across the province.

Photo: Government of Alberta website

In 2008, the province held the first Alberta Arts Day, a one-day event to recognize the value of Alberta’s arts and culture communities. There were 100 events held in 30 communities across the province, including in The Pass. Since then, it has expanded into a vibrant, three-day, province-wide celebration helping to inspire awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Albertans in the artistic and cultural life of their communities. The Month of the Artist was also moved to September to complement the celebrations.

Culture Days celebrations occur across Canada and invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. Culture Days events take many forms, such as Student Days at the Forks in Winnipeg or the Cultures Hub and Makers Market in Guelph.

Photo: Culture Days website. Culture Hub and Makers Market, Ward 1 Studios, 2018, Guelph, ON

The Alberta Culture Days timing includes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is an incredibly important time to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools and their families, and endeavour to acknowledge and better understand the history and harms done. Alberta Culture Days offers us a unique opportunity to do this by exploring Indigenous culture and learning more about the beautiful art and culture of Alberta’s Indigenous communities.

Photo: Culture Days website

Alberta Cultural Days encourages community organizations and the people of Crowsnest Pass to explore and transform how this celebration is shared. Alberta Culture Days community organizations will have the opportunity to host their events/activities from September 1 – 30.

Wondering how you can contribute to or experience how culture contributes to a prosperous, vibrant society in The Pass? Check out the Government of Alberta's page or the Alberta Culture Days for more information.