More than ten different cultures and nations set up booths at the Access Event Centre in Morden Saturday afternoon for the community's ninth annual Multicultural Winterfest.

Photo Submitted By Jahangir Talukdar of JAT Photography One of the volunteer MC's, Mihajlo Lakicevic, moved to Morden with his family from Serbia and began volunteering    right away, helping run a drop-in basketball program last summer for immigrant children who don't know many          people. It's his involvement with the community he figures had him nominated to be the MC for Winterfest yesterday.

 "Somebody recommended me, so I accept it with honour," he said.

 Lakicevic and his family were also backstage at the Corn and Apple festival last year, supporting the performers.

 "We like to volunteer. We like to help people," Lakicevic said, adding his family received a lot of help when they first  moved to the area.

 Celebrating Morden's wildly popular level of immigration was a major theme of the afternoon, as Indian and Ukrainian  dancers performed, even inviting volunteers to join them on stage and learn simple cultural dances.

 

Teresia Yavala and her family moved to Darlingford from Fiji in 2009. She said she appreciates the familiarity of Winkler, where her family lives now.

"Every corner you know somebody, it's nice."

Yavala and her three youngest children were operating a booth to display their culture. Commenting on the Winterfest, Yavala said she couldn't believe there are so many people from all over the world in the area.

"It's fun to see so many people from so many cultures living here in the area, and it's nice to meet them. I'm excited to show them what I have [from] back home," she said. 

(left to right) Robyn Wiebe, MLA Cameron Friesen, MP Candice Bergen, Mihajlo Lakicevic.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen, MLA for Morden-Winkler, and Portage-Lisgar MP, Candice Bergen, attended and spoke at the opening of the event. Both were thrilled to see so many different countries represented in Morden.

"It's good to see so many new people who are in the community," said Bergen. She said she loved to see the colourful displays, and the variety of cultures in the building.

"It's like a beautiful fabric, and I think that's what we are as Canadians," she said.

Friesen noted the face of the Morden/Winkler area is changing. Multitudes of people are immigrating to the Pembina Valley through both provincial and municipal initiatives which are attracting people from other countries, and helping them build a life in their new home.

"It's exciting to be here," Friesen said.

"A day like this brings understanding. It allows us to ask questions and to get to know each other better as neighbours and friends."