He came to London, Ont., as a refugee. 38 years later, he’s an Order of Canada appointee

A household name in London’s music scene and the founder of the city’s annual Sunfest music festival is among 78 recipients who have been given an appointment to the Order of Canada by Gov. General Mary Simon.

Alfredo Caxaj, 64, is being recognized for his contributions to arts and culture, and for promoting and celebrating diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism in Canada.

While the recognition is an exciting moment, it’s also a full-circle one for Caxaj and his family who came to the country as political refugees from Guatemala in 1985.

“I received a phone call [about the appointment] on Nov. 21, which is the date that my wife, son and I arrived in London 38 years back. To get this news all these years later is so significant and really incredible,” he said. 

“This is one of the highest honours you can receive in Canada and I’m still digesting the news because it’s so fantastic, not just for us but the entire community.”

Caxaj admits the culture shock of being in a different country and learning a brand new language, while facing racism and discrimination, wasn’t easy. But music is what helped him overcome those barriers, inspiring him to start Sunfest in 1995 and share that power with others, he said.

“We saw that music could bring everyone together and presenting music from different parts of the world was a beautiful reflection of what this country is all about, and that’s exactly what we did with Sunfest,” he said. 

The Caxaj family from left to right: Alfredo’s wife Paty, his son Alfie, Alfredo, and his daughter Mercedes have organized Sunfest at Victoria Park every summer since 1995. (Submitted by Alfredo Caxaj)

Thousands of artists and musicians from around the world have hit the Sunfest stage at Victoria Park every July, and with London’s UNESCO City of Music designation, the festival has introduced lots of talent to the community. 

“It’s not just another festival but it’s a social project aiming to bring different communities together and after 29 years, I think we’ve created a lasting impact in the community.”

The journey has been long but also beautiful, said Caxaj, adding that watching London’s transformation through the nearly 40 years he’s lived in the city has been tremendous. 

“London back then was very different from the London we know now,” he said. “At that time, very few people and things existed here but now you can see that the city is in great shape and it makes London more attractive for people to come here and only make it better.”

Another London resident appointed to the Order of Canada is Lorne Henry Hepworth for his work in Canadian agriculture and research that has propelled the sector to new heights.

Caxaj dedicates his appointment to other immigrants and refugees to Canada and encouraged them to continue their hard work starting from scratch and building their lives. Caxaj has no plans to slow down and said he will continue sharing his love for music.