Togo Night: A Cultural and Solidarity Celebration in Canada

Montreal, Canada – On May 03, 2025, the Togolese community in Canada organized a memorable evening: “Togo Night.” This cultural, festive, and community event aimed to celebrate Togo’s independence while showcasing the richness of its culture, the diversity of its traditions, and the solidarity among its members living abroad.

The team that led the traditional rhythmic dances of Togo.

It was in a friendly and colorful atmosphere that this iconic evening took place. The event, led by the chairwoman of the board of directors of the Togolese community in Canada, Priska Eyra Appalo, was designed to be different and open to all communities in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. Elected in December 2024, Priska Eyra Appalo made it her mission to bring together Togolese people living in Canada around their cultural roots while strengthening their contribution to Canadian society. “Our goal is to build a bridge between our culture of origin and our life here in Canada. We want every Togolese to feel represented, valued, and involved in the development of our community,” she said in her speech.

Togo

The evening began with a welcome cocktail over a red carpet. Guests, elegantly dressed in traditional or modern attire, enjoyed this first part to mingle, greet each other, and build connections. This networking moment allowed multiple generations to meet, share memories of their homeland, and create new partnerships. Next, the audience was taken on a true cultural journey through Togo’s five regions. Each musical and dance performance allowed those from a particular region to spontaneously stand up and dance to the rhythm of their traditions. From the sounds of Tamberma in the north to the Mina and Ewé rhythms of the south, the audience vibrated to the tunes that are the pride of this West African country. This moment also allowed non-Togolese attendees to try the dance steps, creating an immersive and inclusive experience filled with emotion and joy.

The celebration wasn’t limited to the festive side. The event was also an opportunity to discuss concrete community projects and open up perspectives for the future. The president emphasized that this annual gathering is also a key networking and integration moment for newcomers. “It’s important to us that Togolese people arriving in Canada find a strong, organized, and welcoming community,” she stressed. Togolese people from all Canadian provinces converged on Montreal for this gathering. Some traveled long distances from Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and even Vancouver to participate in the celebration, showing their deep connection to their roots. For many, reconnecting with their culture in a foreign context is a powerful reminder that they can succeed, settle, and thrive while maintaining a strong bond with their country of origin.

Mairesse Gracia Kasoki Katahwa

One of the major projects discussed during the evening is the concept of “the gala, a well.” Indeed, each edition of this cultural celebration will also serve to raise funds to build wells for clean drinking water in Togo, particularly in rural areas where access to water remains a major challenge. This is more than just symbolism: water is life, and the diaspora aims to link festivity with social responsibility. “We cannot celebrate our culture without thinking about those at home who need us,” said one of the organizers. Thanks to the donations collected during the evening, a first well is being planned in the Sokodé region. Other initiatives such as book donations, computers, and school supplies for Togolese schools have also been carried out by the community, with strong involvement from young members of the diaspora

La Marraine Géraldine Le Chêne

Finally, this cultural and social mobilization is part of a broader strategy by the Togolese community in Canada to strengthen the capacities of its members, particularly Togolese entrepreneurs living in Canada. Projects are underway to partner with Canadian institutions to facilitate access to funding and professional development. An economic section of the program also includes business management training, digital marketing, and international trade to help project leaders grow. The organization also plans several webinars, including one soon on mental health among youth, aimed at preventing suicide risks and promoting well-being among Togolese youth in Canada. “Mental health is a taboo subject in our communities, but it’s time to talk about it openly, support our youth, and give them the tools they need to thrive,” said a social worker present at the event.

“Togo Night” thus established itself not only as a cultural showcase but also as a lever for community action and international solidarity. Through celebration, intergenerational exchanges, humanitarian projects, and concrete initiatives, the Togolese diaspora affirms its role as an ambassador of a modern, united, and globally engaged Togo. For the next edition, the organizers hope to engage even more partners, include other African diasporas, and continue building bridges between Togo and Canada for sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation.