Entertainment a universal language

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Two of the many cultural events celebrating the Games showcased unique groups that proved entertainment crosses international barriers.

Kashtin, the Canadian duo of Claude McKenzie and Florent Vollant, rocked the audience with their signature songs in Montagnals, a language spoken by only several hundred people.

But who cares? Obviously no one at the sold-out Communiplex on July 23. The audience was on its feet from the opening number, and the toe-tapping, clapping and dancing continued throughout the purely magical evening.

From across the world, another group crossed the language barrier with dance.

The Taiwanese Folk Dance Group brought a graceful message to audiences at the games. Three young and tiny beauties performed the Dance of the Golden Bracelet, a piece inspired by a tribe who fled from the western side of mainland China.

The dance troupe is made up of 15 girls who performed three dances during the closing ceremonies. The group spent five days in Saskatchewan, then performed in Alberta and British Columbia before returning to Taiwan in August.