On Thursday, December 11th, 2025, we were in Ottawa to celebrate Sunfest’s Founder and Artistic Co-Director Alfredo Caxaj’s official appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada!

At Rideau Hall, Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, presided over the ceremony honouring 31 exceptional Canadians. The Sunfest community of partners, artists, funders, staff and volunteers extend their heartfelt congratulations to Alfredo on this historic and well-deserved honour.

How’s this for a full-circle moment - Alfredo got the news of his appointment on November 21, 2023, which is exactly 38 years later from the day he and his family immigrated to Canada from Guatemala as political refugees.

On the medal, the Latin engraving translates to “Longing for a better country”; words that Alfredo has put into action. Alfredo dedicates his Order of Canada to all immigrants and refugees working to build new lives in Canada and hopes his story will inspire many others to continue their journey.

Watch the new CTV interview with Alfredo and Nick Paparella HERE on the hard work that led to this moment.