Loading ...Lebanese festival ‘getting better and better’
By: BEN COUSINS
Herald News
The Lebanese festival is all about exploring your senses.
Live performances in song and dance take up the stage, trying the food is a given and you can smell the garlic from literally a mile away.
The festival, put on by the Saint Antonios Orthodox Church in Halifax, is a way of opening the doors for people to see what the Lebanese culture is all about.
“Lebanese people are welcoming people, no different than Canadian people, especially Atlantic Canadians,” said Eli Hage, chairperson of the festival committee.
The festival opened with an official blessing on Thursday and closes on Sunday, allowing the estimated 30,000 visitors four days to explore all things Lebanese.
“The main attraction is the amazing food we have here,” said Hage.
As in years past, the festival offered a wide selection of traditional Lebanese food including hummus, tabouli, shawarma, falafel and zaatar.
“We’ve seen some years with double digit growth, 10 per cent, 15 per cent, so it’s always growing,” said Hage. “I don’t see too many businesses that have a growth every year.”
This is the 14th anniversary of the festival.
“Every year, its getting better and better,” said Steven Benton, who tries to make it every year. “I think it’s awesome.”
“I see a lot more younger people which is good, I think a lot of cultures should be celebrating their culture,” said Benton.
Benton competed in the Masterchef competition, ultimately finishing second.
“It’s about having fun, that’s the key,” he said. “You see a lot of people smiling and enjoying themselves.”
More than 300 volunteers, culinary experts, dance performers, and organizers gathered to engage audiences of all ages with free admission to the festivities.
“Our focus is not to make money it’s just to bring everyone together,” said Hage.
Every year the festival donates to a different charity, this year they chose the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Canada.
“We make sure every year, we keep that in mind that some people do need help,” said Hage.
Source: thechronicleherald.ca