Carassauga is an incorporated non-profit volunteer community organization, which celebrated its 27th anniversary this year. It operated for the first time in 1986 with 10 Pavilions; initially it was only a two-day event, running only on Saturday and Sunday. It was created in response to a challenge put out by Mayor Hazel McCallion to all ethno cultural groups at a meeting of her calling in the old City Hall in the fall of 1985.  It quickly evolved into a 3-day, 22-hour event. The Festival has become an important annual event in Mississauga’s calendar, and its popularity has steadily increased in recent years. It is the largest multicultural Festival in Ontario and is now recognized as the 2nd largest cultural Festival in Canada in terms of visits & ethnic diversity representation.  The Folklorama Festival in Winnipeg is in first place. The organization attributes its success to the many volunteer leaders on the Board who have tirelessly devoted their time and expertise to running the annual 3-day event. The community’s commitment over the years to honouring and showcasing Mississauga’s multicultural landscape is unsurpassed.

On Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26, 2012, The Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Student Union (ACSSU) of Canada represented the Assyrians, Chaldeans and Syriacs under the Iraq umbrella. Our station had information set up about ancient Mesopotamia, and ACSSU provided information about the history as well as the contemporary life of Assyrians in Northern Iraq, Northeastern Syria, Southeastern Turkey and Northwestern Iran. Visitors stopped to read about the modern-day Assyrians and ask questions about their current situation in the Middle East. Many were also interested in the continued use of the Aramaic language. Along with educating the community and promoting our heritage, we distributed the Assyrian Genocide Book, Seyfo – When, Where, How by Professor David Gaunt.

ACSSU participates in the event annually, and looks forward to seeing you there next year!

Carassauga Facts

•                    
• Over 64 countries represented at 26 Pavilion Locations, throughout Mississauga
• 3,498 performances & 265 artisans
• 786 performances
• 263,161 visits
• 4,709 volunteers
• 376,720 volunteer hours
• 22 hours of operation