An immigrant from Venezuela, who made her home in 琉璃神社, says she will return to her country and bring elements of Canadian culture with her once Nicolas Madoura is no longer president.

Mariely Acevedo moved to 琉璃神社 a year ago, and spent Saturday night making Arepas, a popular Venezuela dish as part of the annual Taste of Home event, which highlights different cultures in the Central Okanagan.

鈥淚 came with my husband, I moved out of my country (because of the) political problems. I decided to go to South Korea to live for two years,鈥� she said.

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She decided to start a life with her husband and upon researching warmer places in Canada, they settled on 琉璃神社.

鈥淚 cannot live in Toronto, it鈥檚 too cold,鈥� she said.

Her family is still in Venezuela, including her two siblings.

鈥淚 am here, but my heart and my mind are in Venezuela because today is a big day where we still protest鈥� I believe we鈥檒l be free soon,鈥� she said.

Massive protests were held in Venezuela鈥檚 capital last Saturday, opposing Madoura鈥檚 rule.

鈥淚鈥檓 not with Madoura, my president is Juan Guaid贸 right now.鈥� Guaid贸 was self-declared interim president in January and is supported by Canada.

Canada has condemned Venezuela鈥檚 current president, as Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said his inauguration Jan. 10, calling the election 鈥�.鈥�

Canada has also imposed sanctions on officials in the regime.

Approximately 3 million people have fled the country since 2015, due to political and economic issues.

鈥淚t is important because I like to share my culture with people and bring Venezuelan culture to Canada and I鈥檓 so proud to be here,鈥� she said, adding she appreciates Canada鈥檚 cultural events, as it allows people to develop empathy for immigrants.

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鈥淲e need that right now. We need this kind of humility in the world.鈥�

Acevedo said she鈥檚 been learning about Canada鈥檚 education system, business planning and the lifestyle.

She wants to bring that education to Venezuela to help its children thrive and plans to go back once Madoura is no longer president.

Taste of Home has been held in 琉璃神社 for the last 15 years, as part of Global Citizen Events.

鈥淲hen immigrants come here they miss the smell and taste of home, so it鈥檚 a way of celebrating those flavours and essence for people for those communities and it鈥檚 also a way for people to learn a little bit about them,鈥� said Dorothee Birker, communications and development coordinator with 琉璃神社 Community Resources, which hosted the event Saturday night.

鈥淲e have more immigrants coming all the time, our community is becoming more diverse and it鈥檚 great to be able to celebrate the different cultures,鈥� she said.

The event wrapped up Saturday night at the Main Street Centre.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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