BY SURJIT SINGH FLORA
The Sikh Heritage Month Foundation has announced the seventh annual installment of Sikh Heritage Month, beginning on Apr. 1. Due to the success of the last six years, the Foundation has continued to coordinate with a variety of community organizations to provide a variety of programming to the community.
Due to the current state of the epidemic, all events will be hosted online to bring amazing programming for people of all ages. This month-long celebration will feature a variety of speakers, informative seminars, unique performances by artists, music as well as discussions with local and international community ambassadors and representatives of organizations.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said that every year during Sikh Heritage Month, communities get a chance to celebrate arts, heritage and culture together. He said that with the help of the City of Brampton’s Marquee Festival and Events Fund, the Sikh Heritage Month Foundation’s events featured the work of local and international artists and collaborated with more than 20 community partners.
“We are very proud of the work done by this organization for our city,” Brown said earlier this week. The Sikh Heritage Month Foundation also announced the “Sikh Fest,” a three-day online event that will provide an opportunity to experience art, culture, community, music and many other aspects.
Participants can register for these virtual events, which will take place on Apr. 10, 17 and 24. On Thursday, Apr. 1, from 5 – 5:30 p.m., NDP MP and Federal Leader Jagmeet Singh will share the history of Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario and how it came to be during a special Instagram Live meet-and-greet, On Apr. 10, from 4 – 5:30 p.m., a special event remembering the ninth Nanak, Guru Teghbahadur Sahib, and his passing in 1666, which resulted in young Guru Gobind “Rai” Sahib taking the responsibility of Guruship of the Sikh Nation at the tender age of nine, will be recognized during an online ceremony.
The event will delve into the time-period and share Guru Gobind Singh’s life and legacy episodes during those final formative years before Vaisakhi, which occurred in 1699. The presentation will be hosted by Inderpreet Singh, a member of the Board of Directors of the Sikh Research Institute and a Board of Advisor for the Sikh Coalition. More information on registration for all events can be found by visiting the Sikh Heritage Month and Sikh Fest is available at sikhheritagemonth.ca.
