Unveiling Toronto's Unique Identity:
The first thing that you’ll hear about Toronto is that it is one of the most multicultural places in the world. And whoever tells you that is correct! Both the BBC and the United Nations have declared Toronto as the most diverse city globally, and when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Figures show that 51% of the residents of the city of Toronto were not born in Canada, and there are more than 250 ethnicities and 170 languages represented in the Toronto Region. To put things into perspective, think about this: there are almost twice as many people living in the Toronto Region that were born in Greece than there are living in Santorini! As you can see, the statistics are incredible. Nonetheless, the importance of Toronto’s diversity goes well beyond numbers. It has become a key part of its identity, and has opened the door for investment and innovation, since everyone wants to participate in the city’s cosmopolitan way of life.
Precisely, tolerance and embracing differences are key values for Torontonians and Canadians in general, and they have been perfectly captured in things such as the Global Creativity Index, in which Canada ranked fourth overall between 139 countries that are assessed based on technology, talent and tolerance, the three dimensions of creative competitiveness. Thanks to all of this, Toronto has thrived in businesses and investment, as what happened when Booking.com decided to settle on Toronto because of its multilingual and diverse population. Thus, it is safe to say that being a multicultural haven has made Toronto prosperous and successful, and as we’ll see later, diversity has taken over everything in the city and the region, transforming its culture, art, music, architecture and gastronomy, and creating a vibrant, colorful and marvelous tapestry of lived lives from all over the world.
Toronto has been crowned as the most diverse city in the world, and once you explore the city, you’ll understand why.
Toronto's Global Influence:
Honestly, exploring Toronto is like going on a tour around the world. Each street and neighborhood will tell you a lot about different cultures, you’ll listen to multiple accents and languages wherever you go… It is pretty easy to see that modern Toronto has been built on the countless global influences that have enriched the city for so long. When thinking about ways in which we could showcase the diversity and multicultural nature of the city, we thought that the best way to do it was through the festivals of Toronto! There’s no better way to know the heart and soul of a community than through their music, artistic expressions and gastronomy. So, let’s dive deeper into some of the most interesting festivals of the city.
During August, Downtown Toronto exudes magic thanks to the Caribbean Carnival, where the Afro-Caribbean community celebrates its heritage with reggae, calypso, salsa, delicious meals and several activities that showcase memorable aspects of their Jamaican, Haitian, Trinidadian, etc., origins. It was first founded in 1960 and since then it has evolved into a huge party where the community is able to proudly celebrate its Afro-Caribbean pride and share it with everyone. But you’ll begin dancing earlier, because on July 6 and 7 the Salsa in Toronto Festival takes place, and as the largest Latin festival of the city, there’s plenty to see and do. Hundreds of performers, Grammy-winning artists and talented chefs join forces to bring Latin flavor to Midtown Toronto while other forms of entertainment such as film screening, parades and art exhibitions present more complex sides of these identities.
Finally, we’ll sail across the oceans through a short subway ride until we reach Greektown, where Taste of the Danforth takes place. For 30 years, this street festival has lovingly shared Greek cuisine and culture with Torontonians and visitors alike. What began as a food festival to present the best Greek restaurants in town, has turned into a massive festival with carnival rides, global dance lessons and musical performances. There’s no need to go all the way to Greece in order to enjoy a Greek summer!
Throughout the year, you’ll have the opportunity to witness Toronto’s global influence through the numerous festivals dedicated to celebrate these unique communities.
Cultural Hubs in Toronto:
We’re confident that by now you recognize Toronto for the intricate mosaic of cultures and identities that it is, and just as we went over some of its most renowned festivals, we thought that we could also explore some of its most interesting cultural hubs. Definitely, getting to know Toronto is a never ending traveling experience! The location of some of the festivals that we mentioned earlier give away where some of the cultural hubs of Toronto are… But let’s dive a little bit deeper and continue our quest through the city’s eclectic neighborhoods.
It would be impossible to begin any other way than by mentioning Toronto’s Chinatown, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods (it was established in 1878) with a charming personality. Its streets are filled with all kinds of smells of authentic Chinese food, the sound of traditional music and the brightness of the neon signs signaling all of the markets, restaurants and shops available. But even Chinatown is diverse in itself, because aside from its obvious Chinese influence, there are other Asian cultures making presence in the neighborhood, such as the Vietnamese.
Chinatown is one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods.
In contrast, we have Little Tibet, a neighborhood that has been developing its identity in the last two decades. Within Parkdale in west Toronto, approximately 3000 Tibetans migrants have made the city their new home and have created the largest Tibetan Canadian community in North America. Because of all of this, the Tibetan gastronomic scene of Toronto has bloomed and today, their traditional dishes are accessible to everyone. Have you ever tried momos or butter tea? If you have not, just head over to Parkdale and find the nearest Tibetan restaurant. Even though it is a small neighborhood and community in comparison with others, it is perfect to highlight the reach of Toronto’s multiculturality. When we say it is the most diverse city in the world, we aren’t joking!
Finally, for a taste of everything, the best place to visit is Kensington Market, located in downtown Toronto. It is a textbook example of a melting pot, with Chinese, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern, among other communities, living together, creating an enchanting space of international cuisine, unique shops and colorful streets that come to life with the neighborhood’s diversity. It is so important that it has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, and its annual Kensington Market Festival of Lights and Pedestrian Sundays are the perfect opportunities to celebrate the neighborhood and immerse yourself in its wonderful atmosphere.
Kensington Market is the perfect example of how diversity and multiculturality converge to create a colorful, vibrant and eclectic city.
Well, we have finished our short but very interesting journey through Toronto’s diversity, and it’s safe to say that it has made us want to go there as soon as possible. Pack your bags and check when the next festival is taking place… you won’t regret it!
Enjoyed this article?
