Matta Fest

 

 

Beckoning back to days of old, when communities gathered together to welcome spring, Matta Fest is an annual, all-weather event that takes place the first SUNDAY in May.  This festival has been taking place at Dunvegan Historical Park in the Central Peace of Alberta since 1999. It is a free Spring celebration which, in good weather, has drawn up to 1,200 people through out the day.

 

'MATTA' is the Gypsy word for Mother of ALL. Art portraying Mama Nature abounds at the festival site. Visual and performing artists donate their talent and time in the creation of this event. Over the years there has been a steady assortment of tribal, fusion, and cabbara belly dancing, hula hoop artistry, drumming, musical jamming, circle dancing, meditation and chanting circles, temple dancing, puppetry, juggling, fire artists and face painting and henna artistry. Near midday there is the ever fun weaving of the Maypole. There are visual artists and crafters and healers who encircle the event with their creations and offer hands-on creative activities. 

 

The opening ceremony is at 11:00 a.m.  Everyone present gathers together in a circle to bring in positive, loving energy. At around 4:00 p.m. everyone is invited to join a closing circle to send off the expanded positive, loving energy in gratitude to all, to the ALL.