FOCAS intends to use music and culture as a vehicle for entertainment, positive social integration and social cohesion. By making newcomers feel at home in their new country and helping the new country understand the newcomers. We also work to mix the exotic Oromo culture and traditional Canadian music and art. We join with other organizations and communities who have similar ambitions and plans to contribute in the making of multiculturalism in this sense. We are also working on visual arts whereby the younger generation depict the lives of their parents in different countries, the country of origin and their new country, Canada.
One of the Best Oromo Musics: 2021
Thunk You Gutu Abera-Beredu Shawa
The newcomers communities are becoming an integral part of the Canadian social fabric. They have brought with them their language, culture, tradition and norms that they want to protect and pass over to their children. On the other hand, there have been Canadian languages, cultures, traditions and norms that they need to absorb/take up. Especially the new generations who will grow up in this diverse culture, they need to have a platform where they can enjoy the multiculturalism in Canada. That is why the Oro-Canadian cultural remaking intends to create a platform where different cultures come together on one stage and are incorporated, displayed and enjoyed.
Our plan to is start these practices with cultural dances and songs as this seems to be easily attainable. Experiences from different western countries show us that this is very possible. Our hero and role model in this regard is a young talented Norwegian Oromo, Gutu Abera. Mr. Abera has brought all the diverse Norwegian community -African, Asian, European, on one stage and has made them all cheer their unity and diversity. We believe that is our future direction.
Furthermore, this kind of practice is important to help rebuilding the relationships between the youth that grow up in a culturally divers community. It helps minimize the cultural barriers and racial tensions or profiling. Children from different cultures may develop a common identity. In short, through this kind of work social equality and positive integration of healthy community can occur. To that end we invite all interested parties to join us.
