After a successful 2024 season, we’re excited to be bringing back our Culture City: Program Series this weekend for a celebration of Black History Month.
The Culture City: Program Series is an ongoing lineup of free, family-friendly events that showcase the rich and diverse cultures and communities we have here in Abbotsford. On Saturday, Feb. 8 we’re kicking off the 2025 series at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium with “Cultural Contributions: The Impact of Black Art, Music, and Literature.”
The event, presented in partnership with the Fraser Valley Heritage Elevation Society, a local organization focused on cultural celebrations, community dialogue and connection with regional Black communities, will feature presentations, dance, spoken word, and interactive arts and crafts. The performances aren’t just there for entertainment, they’re also designed to educate and inform.
As a City Council, we often talk about diversity as a strength of our community and the value of ensuring we have an inclusive and connected community. It’s at events like this that we see those principles in practice. By promoting dialogue, understanding and cross-cultural exchange, we can help break down barriers that divide us and bring us all closer together. In this way, the Culture City: Program Series aligns with City Council’s Culture Connect: Culture Strategy by creating a welcoming environment where residents can connect with one another while embracing our cultural diversity.
With this event and the launch of the 2025 Culture City: Program Series we look forward to building on the successes of last year. In 2024 we held 16 events from June to November alone covering everything from visual arts to crafts, music, dance, writing and food. Among the groups the City partnered with for those events include the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) South Asian Studies Institute, UFV School of Contemporary Arts, Archway Community Services, BANDISH Network, United Way, Fraser Valley Regional Library, Heritage Abbotsford Society and the Reach Gallery Museum.
We can’t wait to see which new and returning Culture City: Program Series events will be happening this year. Remember to keep an eye on the City of Abbotsford website and social media channels to learn about upcoming events as they’re announced.
Abbotsford City Council
