Eurofest BC Society: About Us

ABOUT US

The EUROFEST BC SOCIETY is a not-for-profit organization that manages the European Festival, and supporting events such as the January Pot-Luck and Europe Day,

to preserve and celebrate the local European heritage with residents and tourists in the Greater Vancouver, BC, region.

Eurofest BC Society Goals:

1) To promote respect for cultural diversity in B.C.The EUROFEST BC SOCIETY is a not-for-profit organization that manages the European Festival, and supporting events such as Europe Day, to preserve and celebrate the local European heritage with residents and tourists in the Greater Vancouver, BC, region.

2) To increase awareness of and exposure to European heritage in B.C.

3) To provide an effective venue for European-Canadians to preserve and showcase their unique customs, traditions, cuisine and heritage.

4) To provide an opportunity for personal and creative skills development.

5) To provide an opportunity for public participation and volunteering.

6) To provide a unique leisure, entertainment and celebration opportunity for the whole family.

7) To strengthen social cohesion by linking different generations and cultures.

8) To enable corporations to interact with new audiences via sponsorship.

9) to increase international support and involvement in B.C.

European Festival:

The European Festival is held annually on the last Saturday in May on the Scandinavian Community Centre grounds located at 6540 Thomas Street in Burnaby, BC. Gates open to the public at 10am in the morning and the event closes at 1:30am at night.

There are six major components to the Festival:

1) An educational Cultural Exhibits Tent where participating countries display information and artifacts.

2) A Food Tent where participating countries sell their ethnic foods and beverages.

3) A Market Place Tent where commercial vendors sell culturally related products.

4) A supervised Children's Activities Tent enabling whole family enjoyment.

5) Stage Performances where participating countries have a 25 minute time slot to showcase their culture.

6) An evening Dance with a live Band is the festival finale.

History of the European Festival:

The first European Festival took place in 1998 at the Alliance Francaise in Vancouver and ten countries participated. In 1999, twenty European countries participated on Granville Island. Proven to be a success, 26 countries joined the festival in 2000 with an attendance of 3000 visitors. In 2001, the festival shifted location to the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby and 4000 people attended. Since then, the festival has attracted over 5000 people annually. In 2006, Dave Hayer (MLA Surrey-Tynehead, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism & Immigration) presented the participants of the European Festival with a Certificate of Congratulations. Newly incorporated, the Eurofest BC Society published its first annual Eurofest magazine in 2007 featuring the 27 countries that took part in the Festival that year. The Lieutenant Governor of B.C., Honourable Steven L. Point, proclaimed that May 2008 would be known as European Heritage Month and the Eurofest BC Society received the Proclamation document. In 2008, twenty-eight countries participated and 6000 visitors joined in on the festivities. In 2009, Honourable Derek Corrigan, Mayor of Burnaby, awarded the Eurofest BC Society with a Proclamation declaring May 2009 European Heritage Month. Ever growing, thirty-two countries were showcased in the 2009 European Festival and 8000+ visitors attended. In 2010, although it was wet and cold, 5,500 visitors still braved the bad weather to enjoy the splendid festivities.

European Festival Committee:

The European Festival Committee is comprised of volunteers from various ethnic groups and consulates whom work together to organize the annual festivals. All countries in good standing are members of the Festival Committee. Regulations regarding the organization, management and finances of each festival are established by the Committee, at regular monthly meetings, via approval by member majority. The Festival Committee contains many teams such as an Executive team, a Festival Grounds team, a Marketing team, an Entertainment team and several others (see the volunteer page). Generally, team managers are representatives from the participating countries.