Manitoba’s rich multicultural heritage will be the highlight of celebrations honouring Manitoba Day tomorrow at the Legislative Building, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson and Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan announced.
“All Manitobans are encouraged to join in Manitoba Day events and help celebrate our wonderful heritage,” said Robinson. “Manitoba’s cultural diversity is showcased in the province’s signature museums, provincial heritage organizations, community museums and heritage organizations.”
“Manitoba Day is a great time to welcome newcomers to our province,” said Allan. “People from all over the world come here to enjoy the great quality of life, stable economic growth, many employment opportunities and the natural beauty of our province.”
Celebrating Manitoba’s Diversity, Past and Present will be the focus of the 2009 spring Citizenship Court event to welcome 32 new Canadian citizens.
A proclamation declaring May 12 as Manitoba Day, which celebrates the province’s entry into confederation, will be presented to the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, a Manitoba signature museum and star attraction. The Mennonite Heritage Village, which preserves and shares the Mennonite heritage of southern Manitoba, welcomed close to 43,500 visitors in 2008.
May 18 is International Museum Day and its 2009 theme, Museums and Tourism, recognizes the vital role museums play in sustaining and promoting tourism. Manitoba’s heritage institutions, staff and volunteers are recognized for their commitment to preserving and promoting the province’s colourful history. A proclamation declaring International Museum Day will be presented to the Museum Passport Adventure 2008 for showcasing Pembina Valley heritage attractions.
The ministers also invited all Manitobans to join the celebrations, starting with a visit to the Manitoba Day link at www.gov.mb.ca/chc. Each year, more heritage organizations forge partnerships in order to share pride in Manitoba’s multicultural experience, they said.