‘We belong… and we are giving back”: Sikh celebration enlivens downtown Winnipeg

Winnipeg's downtown neighborhood was transformed into a vibrant celebration on Sunday as Manitoba's Sikh community gathered to commemorate the 422nd anniversary of the completion of the Guru Granth Sahib. The annual Nagar Kirtan procession and festival drew an estimated 55,000 people to Memorial Park, who gathered in traditional attire to enjoy the festivities.

The procession, led by a palanquin carrying a sacred copy of the holy scripture, wound its way through downtown Winnipeg accompanied by music. Volunteer Prabh Grewal addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of unity and harmony among people of all backgrounds. "This is a chance to tell the public and the whole community where we come from and who we are," Grewal said. "In a community there are people from every race and every country, and our main objective is to have everybody live in peace and harmony together."

The park bustled with activity as families enjoyed free Punjabi cuisine served at numerous tents sponsored by local businesses. Musicians performed traditional Sikh music and chants on a main stage, while youth demonstrated the traditional martial art of gatka near the procession. Information booths about Sikh charitable organizations, including the local chapter of international NGO Khalsa Aid, provided opportunities for community support.

The celebration took on added significance in light of a racist incident that occurred the day before, with racist graffiti spotted on a Broadway transit sign, including a swastika and a threat targeting the Sikh community. The event aimed to emphasize unity and communal support, as Grewal reflected, "We belong to this community, and we are giving back to the community. There's always something going back."