'Kaldero' is a new play touring around Toronto in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. The play, which was produced by Carlos Bulosan Theater and written by that theater's artistic director, Leon Aureus, aims "to celebrate culture and family, to encourage youth to honor their roots and to find their inner strength," according to Aureus.
The play's plot is certainly one that might resonate with Filipino children. In it, the main character, Caleb, refuses to eat his Filipino lunches at school because he's worried that the other students will make fun of him. This triggers a magic cooking pot (called a 'kaldero' in Tagalog) to take Caleb to the mysterious land of Mahiwaga where he learns about his culture. The production also includes authentic Filipino music with instruments like the kulintang.
What's Driving This Trend
- Youth Empowerment Through Culture
- Celebrating culture and family to empower the youth to honor their roots.
- Representation in Entertainment
- Creating a more inclusive media by producing plays that feature typically underrepresented cultural groups.
- Cultural Preservation Through Art
- Using art as a platform to preserve and pass on cultural heritage.
Who This Affects Most
- Performing Arts
- Commissioning and producing plays that celebrate unique cultures and diverse experiences.
- Education
- Developing learning materials that embrace diversity and promote cultural awareness among students.
- Tourism
- Promoting cultural events and festivals that showcase the traditions and stories of different communities.
