The world got a whole lot smaller at one Calgary school on Thursday.

Tom Baines School celebrated International Education Week with cultural performances by students from around the world.

“It is important to be proud of your identity and learn to respect our diversity,” said Miriam Quapp, spokeswoman for the event, titled Creating a Culture of Awareness.

Students were treated to aboriginal dancing, a Chinese lion dance, a traditional Indian dance called the Bharatnatyam and ancestral dances from other countries.

Grade 7 student Riya Garg, 12, has been learning the Bharatnatyam since she was four years old.

She came to Canada from Kuwait in 2006 along with her family (who are from India), and was proud to share her culture with classmates.

“We have a very rich culture and we need to play our part in Canada’s diversity,” Garg said.

The school hosted a similar event for the community on Thursday night.