Schools across Surrey and White Rock celebrate Vaisakhi!
Students at Maple Green Elementary performed bhangra dancing as part of the school's all-day Vaisakhi celebration. The school was one of many across the district recognizing the spring harvest festival, embracing the day with traditional clothing, turban tying, rangoli, samosas and chai. (Photo by Jacob Zinn)
Today is Vaisakhi, and as many South Asian students and staff celebrate, schools across Surrey and White Rock are embracing the annual festival with traditional music, delicious food and lively performances.
Vaisakhi is a traditional celebration of spring harvest in Indian cultures and holds a deep spiritual meaning for Sikhs and Hindus around the globe. The event is an opportunity for many Sikh and Hindu Canadians to embrace their ancestry and celebrate their culture through vibrant festivities. Vaisakhi is also a big part of the cultural identity of many district students and staff.
“Being a Sikh Punjabi Canadian, Vaisakhi is an important opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the spring season – the idea of renewal and a new year in the Sikh calendar, as well as of intercultural celebration of identity and sharing in a new season of hope, inspiration and peace,” said JB Mahli, Director of Instruction with Racial Equity.
“I remember being three years old here in Surrey and doing a bhangra performance with my dad and my cousins as part of Vaisakhi and it’s been a long-running tradition here in Surrey. Our community is exceptionally proud of it.”
Many schools host large celebrations for Vaisakhi, often featuring music and dance performances, henna artistry, cultural artifacts and even martial arts (gatka) demonstrations. At the secondary level, Princess Margaret Secondary, L.A. Matheson Secondary and École Panorama Ridge Secondary are just a few schools to put on schoolwide celebrations each year.
For Maple Green Elementary, this year marks the school’s first ever Vaisakhi celebration, organized by students and staff in collaboration with members of the school’s parent community, as well as leadership students from Enver Creek Secondary.
“It’s a nice combination of community and staff to make the event happen, and it’s great to see the support for different celebrations,” said acting principal Michael Speak.
The inaugural event includes stations to learn about traditional clothing, turban tying, rangoli and bhangra lessons, as well as samosas and chai for all to enjoy.
Speak emphasized that the event is both cultural and educational for students, providing an excellent learning opportunity for all students at Maple Green.
“There’s a lot of excitement around not just seeing their cultures represented but also learning more about other people and immersing themselves in different cultures,” he said. “One of our goals is empathy and compassion at the school, and when you learn about other people who are different than you, it helps build your capacity in those areas.”
Happy Vaisakhi to those celebrating!
