Know My Culture Day at PASS Burnaby

At PASS, we believe that diversity is our strength — and we decided to celebrate it with our recent Know My Culture Day! The event brought together staff and program members in a vibrant showcase of heritage, traditions, and community spirit.

The day kicked off with an open invitation for everyone to wear traditional outfits representing their countries of origin. From kurtas to embroidered blouses (barong tagalog) and accessories like hats and scarfs, PASS was alive with colors. It was inspiring to see how proudly everyone embraced their roots and shared stories behind their attire and traditions.

Of course, no cultural celebration is complete without food! Our special tasting menu featured dishes from around the world, offering everyone a chance to try something new and delicious. From crunchy Pajeon to Siu Mai dumplings and mouth watering Pani Puri, our taste buds traveled across continents in one sitting. And yes — we even rolled up our sleeves to make some of these treats ourselves, learning how to prepare dumplings and tacos in hands-on cooking sessions.

One of the highlights of the day was our Bhangra (Punjabi: ਭੰਗੜਾ - folk dance of Punjab area) workshop, led by the fun duo of Arsh and Kash. They taught us traditional dance moves, and soon enough, the whole room was buzzing with energy, music, and laughter. Whether you were a pro or had two left feet, the experience was joyful and inclusive for all.

We also had a chance to dive deeper into the culture of the land we are on, thanks to our music therapist Christina, who led us through a powerful drum music session.

Know My Culture Day was a celebration of our identities, our stories, and the powerful connections we build when we open our hearts and minds to each other.

Check out some pictures from the event — and get ready to be inspired by the colors, smiles, and unforgettable moments that made this Know My Culture Day one to remember!