World Cup delivers double dose of patriotism for Canadian dual citizens - CityNews Halifax
The World Cup has provided an opportunity for dual citizens in Canada to express their multiple national loyalties, fostering a sense of community and patriotism. In Vancouver, fans gathered at various locations, including the FIFA Fan Festival and Granville Island, to cheer for their adopted and native countries.
One such fan, Alex Garcia, a construction worker in Vancouver, wore two soccer jerseys at the city’s FIFA Fan Festival: the green of his native Mexico and the red of Canada. Garcia, who identifies as half-Canadian and half-Mexican, expressed his joy at experiencing the World Cup in Canada while celebrating his Mexican heritage. He watched Canada play against Switzerland and later celebrated Mexico‘s 3-0 win over Czechia.
Pedro Jessen, who immigrated from Brazil six years ago, also showcased dual loyalties. Jessen, who works for an architecture firm in Mission, B.C., described watching both the Canada game and Brazil‘s 3-0 win over Scotland as the “best day ever.” He stated he was “fully Canadian” for Canada’s match and then “fully Brazilian” for his native country’s game.
Community and National Pride
The World Cup has been a catalyst for a surge of Canadian pride, with streets and stadiums filled with flag-waving fans. Neil Armitage, a sociology professor at the University of B.C., suggested that the event has allowed Canadians to display a “wholesome nationalism” to the world. He contrasted this with what he described as the “brash” nature of American nationalism and the historical ties of British nationalism.
Armitage noted an instance of Canadian support during the tournament when fans waved No. 8 posters to honour midfielder Ismaël Koné.
Paul Kingsbury, a geography professor at Simon Fraser University, has researched nationalism and the World Cup, focusing on how it was enjoyed in Vancouver. He views the World Cup as a “theatre for enjoyment” where Canadians can express patriotism collectively. Kingsbury’s research emphasizes the importance of collective enjoyment in defining a nation’s symbolic presence.
For some, the dual loyalties present a unique scenario. Amr Shehata, a Canadian-Egyptian who immigrated to Vancouver about 12 years ago, humorously expressed concern about a potential match-up between Canada and Egypt, calling it an “identity crisis.” Canada has progressed to the round of 16, while Egypt is scheduled to play Australia in the round of 32.
Noor Kamel, a Burnaby resident born in Yemen who also lived in Qatar, wore a Qatari flag as a sash during a match where Canada played Qatar. She expressed that she had “Canada in my heart” and cheered for both teams, viewing the game as a celebration of diversity and a unifying event.
Granville Island Watch Party
The Granville Island Watch Party in Vancouver offered a family-friendly environment for fans to experience the World Cup. Crew member Akshat Makwana managed the entry point, turning down offers from latecomers attempting to bypass the queue, emphasizing that bribes were not accepted.
Site manager Don Robinson noted that the venue, with a capacity of 1000, opened an hour early due to the large number of people who had lined up. Robinson explained that decisions were made to ensure fairness, particularly regarding seating, stating that the real VIPs were those who arrived early and waited patiently.
The atmosphere at Granville Island was described as positive, with Ryan Lima, a crew member, observing that Canada games were the busiest but not the most boisterous. Robyn Woolgar, the site’s Risk Assessment specialist, primarily attended to dog bowls and ensured understanding about the designated pet area, indicating a focus on maintaining a pleasant environment.
Even fans supporting opposing teams, like Jan Klompje, who wore a South Africa jersey, experienced a welcoming environment. His wife, Lauren Klompje, noted that their family, having been in Canada for 18 years, would be content regardless of the outcome. The atmosphere remained subdued in the second half of a match until the outcome was decided just before the end.
The Moennick family, who traveled from Tsawwassen, arrived early to secure prime seating at the watch party. Twins Jayden and Calum, along with their parents Catherine and Jeff, experienced their first watch party. Kabir Sood and Trevor Bergunder also secured seats, enjoying the positive atmosphere at Granville Island.
The Granville Island Watch Party offered a platform for diverse communities in Canada to celebrate their heritage and shared love for soccer.
Source: halifax.citynews.ca
