Promoting and encouraging artistic opportunities
and events for the enrichment of the general public.

We hosted an "Indigenous Day of the Arts" in 2017, celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations and M?tis. For 2018, we're going to showcase the Mennonites - those settlers who came to Western Canada and helped create the community of Didsbury.

As part of Culture Days across the country, you will join others as we experience Alberta's largest celebration of arts, heritage, diversity and community spirit. This event is part of National Culture Days, which includes more than 800 communities from coast to coast, to increase awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.

In Didsbury, our celebration offers free, family fun that begins with a Faspa on Friday evening. A Faspa is a low-German, Mennonite term used for a typical late afternoon lunch that for generations has been served in Mennonite homes. Along with the Faspa is our Gathering, evening entertainment that includes music, historic stories by Dr. Ed Oke (historian and former president of the Mountain View Bible College), Shirley Shantz, of the famous Didsbury Shantz family, and storytellers, Mary Hays and Linda Shantz-Keresztes.

On Saturday afternoon, come watch the Bergthal Mennonite Quilters at their quilting bee, then try your hand at quilting yourself! The kids will love painting floor tiles, just like in the old days, and playing games like crokinole and checkers, or Dutch Blitz and Mennonite Madness.

The Didsbury Library is joining in on the fun, too! Besides more quilts and book displays, you might just want to check out their "Are You Mennonite?" station with ancestry.com! You might be surprised with what you find out!

The Didsbury Museum also joins in the fun, with extended hours and a vast quilt collection on display, some dating to the 1800s!

We will be accepting vendors in our market as well, so please check back for information on the Artisan Market. If you have a German or Dutch singing group and would like to perform on our stage, please . We will be looking for artists and performers who will help foster intercultural understanding, those who provide opportunities for interaction with our audiences. And be a whole lotta fun!

CULTURE DAYS LOCATIONS
Zion Missionary Church
At the corner of Hwy 582 and 20th Avenue
at the east entrance to Didsbury

Didsbury Library, 2033 - 19 Avenue

Didsbury Museum, 2110 - 21 Avenue

Horse & Wagon Rides
Train Station: 1811 - 20 Street

ALL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES FREE!

Traditional Treaty 7 Territory and
Region 3 of the M?tis Nation of Alberta