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Cooltural

Volume 3: March 18-20, 2025

Save the date for Volume 3 happening March 18-20, 2025!

torontomu.ca/cooltural

See highlights from Cooltural 2024 @llc_torontomet (external link)  and view our recap video (external link, opens in new window) .

Cooltural 2024 Video Recap

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Check back for additional event details!

French Conversation Table

1:00PM-2:00PM
POD-247-J

Join to practice conversation in French! This session is hosted by Dr. Ndeye Ba and all language levels welcome. 

Ne manquez pas cette chance de mettre en pratique vos compétences en français!

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Check back for additional event details!

Cooltural Food Tasting

12:00PM-2:00PM
CPA Lounge, TRS 7th Floor

Join us for gastronomy presentations and food tastings currated by Dr. Frederic Dimanche, Dr. Kinga Zawada, and Chef Tommy McHugh! All are invited to this collaboration between Languages, Literatures and Cultures and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Event Partners

Thank you to our event collaborators!

Accessibility Accommodations & Wayfinding

If accessibility accommodations are required to ensure full participation, please contact the department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures with as much notice as possible. 

See TMU's Campus Map for information regarding entrances, elevators, and ramps. For wayfinding support, please contact the department before the event.

Contact: Winnie Ho or via @llc_torontomet (external link) .

Notice of Filming and Photography

This event series will be hosted in-person and photos and videos of attendees may be taken, shared and used by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

Cooltural, our event series featuring the intersection of culture, language, food and arts, ran on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Through a range of immersive experiences, Cooltural brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and celebration. We're looking forward to welcoming everyone again in 2025!

Cooltural Sessions: March 19 and 20, 2024. You're Invited!

Event Partners

Thank you to our event collaborators, sponsors, special guests, and hosts!

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen

12:15PM
POD 249

Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen (Thanksgiving Address) by Dr. Brandon Martin will open Cooltural 2024.

Intercultural Food Tasting

12:15PM-1:30PM
POD 249

Gastronomy presentations and food tastings hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

  • Introduction to Spanish Tapas by Dr. Mignette Garvida and Dr. Enriqueta Zafra with guest student from SPN 607.
  • Preparation of Arabic Coffee by Dr. Rania Ibrahim.
  • Celebration of Nowruz with Iranian Sweets by Dr. Nazanin Shahdi.

Language Tables Celebration

1:30PM-2:30PM
POD 250

A celebration of TMU's Language Tables! Join to practice conversation in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese and/or Spanish. This is a nonjudgemental environment to practice speaking and listening while learning about culture. All language levels welcome.

  • Arabic Chat Cafe hosted by Dana Almasri.
  • Chinese (Mandarin) Table hosted by Dr. John Edward Stowe and Dr. Elham Mirzania with CHN 201 students.
  • French Conversation Table hosted by Dr. Ndeye Ba.
  • Spanish Conversation Table hosted by Dr. Dorismel Diaz.

French for All: Conversation, Culture, and Chic Merchandise

12:15PM-1:30PM with the Intercultural Food Tasting
1:30PM-2:30PM with the Language Tables Celebration

Embrace the French spirit! Discover and purchase unique French-inspired merchandise and engage with fellow French enthusiasts. 

Short Films with Director Q&A

2:30PM-3:30PM
POD 469

Join us for a multilingual screening of two short films.

Drumming Circle

3:45PM-4:45PM
POD 250

Join in or observe a drum circle as part of our ANT 200 class (Anthropological Perspectives). The circle will be led by Alpha Rhythm Roots (external link) .

This session is made possible by a Guest Speaker Grant from the Faculty of Arts.

Music in the City

5:00PM-6:30PM
SLC 1st Floor Amphitheater

A salsa dance lesson by Sarita Leyva (external link, opens in new window)  kicks off this session. It'll be followed with a live band performance by Lady Son with Dr. Sean Bellaviti from the Department of Philosophy and Music and guest pianist Dr. Julián Zapata from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Multicultural Expressions: A Talent Show with Lunch Provided by La Bella Managua

11:00AM-12:30PM
SLC 3rd Floor Sandbox

Participants will weave together threads of different cultures, languages, and literary traditions in their performances. Join us for poetry, song, and painting, followed by a lunch kindly provided by La Bella Managua.

Hosted by Ingrid and Kurt from the Language and Intercultural Relations Course Union, the talent show will feature a live painting from LIR student Tatsbita S. and performances by Faculty of Arts professors Dr. Jamin Pelkey, Dr. Julián Zapata, and Dr. Gerd Hauck.

Cooltural 2023 Video Recap

Cooltural 2023 Volume 1 event schedule.