Does a Latin American cultural event need any additional colour beyond what it inherently offers? On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the grounds of Aga Khan Garden showcased even more vibrancy during the Pathways Alegría event. The Garden was in full bloom, enhancing the atmosphere. This beautiful Garden is part of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, located in Devon County, near Edmonton. It was inaugurated in 2018 (click on the link to watch the short film) as a gift to Alberta from His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph by Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Visitors stroll among the vibrant, blooming flowers at Alegría, a celebration of Latin American culture held at the Aga Khan Garden at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden in Devon County, near Edmonton, on August 23, 2026. Photograph by Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
Alegría was truly remarkable, featuring traditional folk dance groups, live music, storytelling, and a cross-cultural percussion showcase, along with food, ice cream, and flavourful, thirst-quenching drinks, and colourful vendor stands representing various Latin American countries. It also featured an Indigenous drum performance and Japanese drumming by a local band from Edmonton. The large crowd of all ages was filled with happy, smiling faces.
Vendor stalls at Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Flowers in full bloom at the Aga Khan Gardenduring Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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VIDEO: LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE CELEBRATION
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Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
Having been treated to a stack of Haddock at the New Joey in Northwest Edmonton before I headed to the festival, I didn’t feel hungry until the high-beat close-out performance by the 14-piece band team, Orquesta Son Romero. The two remaining choices among several dishes were beef tacos and a chicken-and-rice dish from, I think, Peru, the former of which I devoured near the Botanic Garden’s outdoor cafeteria before returning to Calgary.
Talar Building, Aga Khan Garden, viewed from the Char Bagh Garden, during Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Children slide down the waterless fountains at the Aga Khan Garden’s Talar Building during Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Visitors enjoy Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
Anyone visiting the Aga Khan Garden is awed by its fountains, ponds, amphitheatre, and the Char Bagh. Overlooking the entire site is the majestic Talar Building, which, unfortunately, appeared dull without its iconic fountains and cascading waters due to ongoing maintenance work. This lack of water features has disappointed many visitors to the garden, especially those from outside Edmonton. Of course, that did not impact Alegría, and this is a small collection of photographs from the fantastic event. The organizers thanked the University of Alberta Botanic Garden for hosting it, and, as we all learnt, it will host a Japanese cultural event, The Way of Tea, on September 13.
Flowers in full bloom at the Aga Khan Garden along the pathway to the Diwan Building during Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Performers at Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Japanese drumming by a local Edmonton-based band at Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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View of Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A view of the iconic Talar Building from the far end of the Cala Pond during Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture at the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Visitors line up at a truck serving Latin American food during Alegría! A celebration of Latin American culture on the grounds of the Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon County, near Edmonton, August 23, 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
