Canadian culture is a mixture of different influences from other countries and its indigenous culture. It was mainly influenced by French and British culture, cultural trends in America, and immigrants from other countries. Canada is multicultural and distinct at the same time.
The two main groups that settled Canada were the French and English and this is reflected in the bilingualism of the country. Canadian culture is shown mostly through their artists, including popular writers such as Douglas Coupland, Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, and Mordecai Richler; musicians such as Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell; and film-makers such as Atom Agoyan, Denis Arcand, and David Cronenberg.
Canadians are fun-loving people who enjoy celebrating festivals. One of the most awaited festivities in the country is the Quebec City Winter Carnival, held in February, which features ice sculptures, parades, snow slides, music, and dancing. There is also a three-week winter festival in Ottawa, called the Winterlude, and music lovers have the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. The most famous festivals held in this country are the International Film Festival in Toronto and the Festival of Music.
Canada has two national sports: ice hockey in the winter season and lacrosse during the summer. Hockey is also called the national pastime and is considered the most popular sport in the country.
Canadian culture involves a society that is open to all without class distinctions. Canadians are proud of the equality that is given to every citizen of the country.