Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 11/05) - Iqaluit boasts a successful new multicultural art festival that promises to grow in the future.

From June 21 to July 1, Alianait! brought together Inuit, anglophone and francophone musicians and artists for jam nights, concerts, visual arts displays and workshops.

"We're hoping that the success of the first festival will make more businesses want to get involved next year," said Ghislain Couture of L'Association des francophones du Nunavut. "The festival could grow to become a tourist draw similar to Folk on the Rocks in Yellowknife."

The idea for Alianait! hatched during brainstorms in 2004. The francophone community wanted to create a week of events that would bring Iqaluit's cultural communities together to learn about each other's artistic and musical heritage.

Throat singer Sylvia Cloutier suggested the name, which is an Inuktitut word that represents joy, happiness and gratitude.

"We felt it was important to name the festival with an Inuktitut word to reflect the majority of the population, but we wanted something easy to pronounce for anglophones and francophones," Couture said. "Alianait has a rhythm to it that suits the festival."

Although the idea percolated for a year, the organizational effort for Alainait! was squeezed into less than three months.

Other organizations provided support, including the Iqaluit Music Society, the Iqaluit Artists' Association, Qaggiq Theatre Group and the City of Iqaluit.

Despite the tight time frame and a miniscule budget, the organizers were pleased with the outcome.

"Through Alianait! the francophone association widened its network and strengthened cultural alliances in the community," Couture said.