An evening of celebrating multiculturalism is coming to Cochrane.

A Celebration of Diversity will showcase and celebrate not only the two Syrian families in Cochrane but other refugee families who have immigrated to Canada. 

Andy Marshall, member of the Syrian Refugee Sponsorship Group, says they have lots planned for the evening.

"We've got Chilean groups, some other groups that are going to perform, we have speakers from the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) who are going to talk about the benefits to Canadian society of immigration and new people coming here, and we are going to learn a little bit about Syria in a fun, relaxed way. A woman from Calgary has a powerpoint on Syrian culture, history, so  we have a way of understanding that part of the world better."

The two Syrian families are settling into Cochrane, says  Marshall.

"They are doing well one family in particular is now quite independent they have permanent work, the other family is still learning the culture, learning the language which is a tremendous transition for them. There are challenges of course when a family is uprooted and coming into a new country."

Marshall says as a municipality we are getting better resources all the time to help families who have immigrated here, thanks to Family Community Support Services and Cochrane schools.

"One of the purposes of our evening on the 15th is to realize and appreciate that new people bring a richness into our lives, they bring different perspective, different ideas."

It is a family occasion, filled with music, dancers, and speakers.

"It is a way of us showing respect to the families that have settled here and us trying to find out more about their culture and their background.

The free Celebration of Diversity is planned for October 15, 7 pm at Cochrane High School in the Lyceum.