Festival makes heartfelt comeback

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This article was published 09/02/2024 (785 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Westman Multicultural Festival made a return after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting its opening ceremony on Thursday in the El Salvador Pavilion at the North End Community Centre.

The event drew attendees including Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen and Brandon East MLA Glen Simard, and marked a joyous celebration of diversity and community.

The festival — featuring six pavilions representing Mexico, Ukraine, Philippines, Mauritius, India and El Salvador — commenced with a tribute to Mo Karrouze, a beloved member of the festival board who was actively involved for 15 years before his passing in 2020. The festival honoured Mo by having his wife, Heather Karrouze, declare the event open.

Coun. Heather Karrouze (Ward 1), visibly moved by the recognition, expressed her excitement at witnessing the festival’s revival from the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“I’m so excited to see the festival rise from the ashes of COVID because it is an important event for our community and Westman, as it brings people together to celebrate our diversity,” she told the Sun. “The festival held personal significance for my late husband, making it a special honour for me to declare it open.”

She added the festival’s return marks a promising beginning, with pavilions hosted by six nations.

“The event started with six pavilions and expanded to 14 at its peak. I expect it to be bigger and better next year and in the years to come.”

Fawcett echoed the sentiment, describing the festival as a fantastic celebration of diversity and an important event for the community.

“The volunteer base is crucial, with a lot of effort going into organizing the event, and we are confident about returning even stronger next year,” he told the Sun. “I anticipate even more nations participating as we build on the success. There’s a possibility of a small summer event as well.

“I love the diversity of our city, making this one of my most enjoyable weekends.”

Simard also expressed pride in Brandon’s diversity, emphasizing the importance of making the community welcoming for people from different nationalities. He pledged continued support for events like these, underlining their role in fostering inclusivity.

Organizer of the El Salvador pavilion, Isabel Martinez, said the pavilion is honoured to lead the comeback for the Westman Multicultural Festival, adding the menu boasts a rich selection of traditional dishes from their homeland.

“We served pupusas, our go-to dish, which has thick corn and rice flour tortillas filled with a flavorful mix of pork, fried beans and cheese,” she said. “Our guests savoured atoll de elote, a warm sweet corn beverage infused with cinnamon or vanilla and adorned with fresh corn kernels, among other food.”

The Ukrainian pavilion also showcased the rich cultural heritage of Ukraine on Thursday. The event attracted about 1,800 people to take in the vibrant displays of Ukrainian traditional culture.

Kaylan Trott, one of the organizers of the Ukrainian pavilion, said the allure of the Ukrainian pavilion extends beyond the cultural exhibits to the delicious homemade Ukrainian food.

This year, the organizers collaborated with local Ukrainian partners from Tryzub, who provided an array of authentic Ukrainian dishes, including perogies, Kuba, cabbage rolls, and freshly made borscht.

“They’re just a lovely group of people that we’ve partnered with to be able to provide homemade Ukrainian food for the people who come here,” she said. “Ukrainian food is just delicious. So perogies are usually the favourite. They’re like potato and cheese in a dough, boiled and cooked with onions.”

In addition to the delectable food, the Ukrainian pavilion captivates audiences with lively dance performances. The Brennan School of Ukrainian Dance, along with the Brandon Ukrainian Dance School, boasts around 100 dancers, ranging in age from four to 64. The dancers showcase a dynamic and entertaining performance, representing different regions of Ukraine with unique dance styles.

Also welcoming visitors on Thursday night was the Mexican pavilion. All six pavilions will be opening their doors on Friday and Saturday as the festival kicks into high gear.

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