Abstract: The main goal of the Canadian Multicultural Act passed in 1988, namely “the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in Canada,” enshrined in law a recognition and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity intended to result in a mutually enriching meeting of cultures. The law gave the many ethnocultural groups within the Canadian “mosaic” an opportunity to teach their descendants their customs and traditions, and helped Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver become urban exemplifications of multiculturalism in religion, politics, and the arts. The Portuguese element, present in Canada for the last fifty years, became by the same token a vibrant component of the country’s cultural scene. Azoreans, who represent eighty per cent of the Portuguese immigrant population, brought with them their heritage, including religious and lay celebrations. This paper examines non-religious festivities, namely the Carnival and Easter dances from the Terceira Island, which through fun and learning provide a bridge between generations and serve to educate and entertain not only those directly participating, but also the community at large.

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