North Okanagan’s localism fuels B.C.’s cultural strength – SA Observer

November 28, 2024

LETTER: British Columbia can be surprisingly cultural for many Europeans, even an artistic snob from the Czech Republic

I titled my article on the Czech community website Seznam, Surprisingly Cultural British Columbia. When my Canadian friends read it with the help of an automatic translator, they let me know that I might be exaggerating a bit, as they had never perceived Enderby in such a positive light.

Fair enough. I live on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany, two countries with several centuries of cultural history. But it would be quite difficult to find a community of 3,500 people that offers two art galleries selling local art, another one with content that could easily compete in the Tate Modern or the Venice Biennale, a library, a small museum, street art, and an enthusiastic Arts Council team with an extensive network of regular supporters. Yet, in Enderby, under the majestic rock by the salmon river, I found such a place.

And when I travelled to Vernon, Salmon Arm, Armstrong, places far from the expected cultural centers of Vancouver or Calgary, I continued to encounter not only a rich cultural offer but also a keen interest from consumers. A full cinema for an independent film or a packed hall for a lecture on climate change is something many European event organizers can only dream of.

Read More: https://www.saobserver.net/opinion/north-okanagans-localism-fuels-bcs-cultural-strength-7654484