Folklorama turns 50

August 4 to 17

A sampling of cuisine from the Brazilian pavilion.

Supplied photo

Folklorama started in 1970 as a one-time celebration of Manitoba’s centennial and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The festival is known as the world’s largest and longest-running cultural festival.

The city will be painted in Folklorama colours from August 4 to 17. Pavilions from around the world will be set up, featuring cultural displays, entertainment and ethnic cuisines. The festival had a footfall of nearly 445,000 last year, and this number is expected to rise at the golden jubilee of the festival.

“What makes this year’s celebration grand is the 50th anniversary of this Manitoban tradition,” Christa Mariash, the director of communications at Folklorama says.

Folklorama embodies the essence of diversity and inclusivity, which is representative of Manitoba’s multicultural society.

“Folklorama is like Christmas to us, and we strive to bring people, participants and volunteers together in this celebration of diversity and culture,” Mariash says.

Some of the highlights this year will be an honorary street naming, the City of Winnipeg flag rising, the new Egyptian pavilion and many more events.

The festival involves massive contributions from volunteers.   

“We are always on the lookout for volunteers, and university students could experience behind the scenes of the event by volunteering during their summer break,” Mariash says.

Tickets go on sale on June 6.

Published in Volume 73, Number 25 of The Uniter (May 30, 2019)

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