Even the mayor dancing as Folklorama kicks off
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/07/2010 (5707 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Amid applause, African drumming, and a group of Ghanian dancers at The Forks, the first two weeks of August have been officially declared Folklorama season.
Culture Minister Flor Marcelino and Mayor Sam Katz were on hand Thursday to rev up Winnipeggers for the upcoming festival.
"We’re very proud of our diversity here in Manitoba," Marcelino said. "We are proud to have the longest-running and largest multicultural festival in the world."
Katz thanked the 20,000 volunteers it takes to put on the festival and said "only in Manitoba" would this kind of event be able to come to fruition.
With boisterous music and exuberant, costumed youth ambassadors lined up on the sidelines, Katz joined the fun by taking time for a quick dance lesson from the Ghanian performers.
Ron Gauthier, Folklorama’s executive director, said he is consistently surprised year after year with the enthusiastic response from local volunteers.
"I look at Folklorama as a model of how the world can be," Gauthier said. "It’s a bunch of people and cultures working together to put on a great event."
This year, Folklorama boasts three new pavilions and welcomes four pavilions returning after a brief absence.
Justice Tombe Mogga and Sandy Deng are ambassadors for the new Sudanese Pavilion, and both are excited to showcase their culture’s strengths.
"Sudan is a very unique and diverse place," Deng said. "Even within the country, there are different dances and different foods."
Sudanese pavilion co-ordinator David Lado said he’s looking to show off Sudan’s authentic culture.
"This is the real thing. We want to show Manitobans that Sudan is not a homogenous culture," Lado said.
Robert Daniels is the chief executive officer of the new Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Pavilion.
"We approached Folklorama because we wanted to showcase our First Nations culture to the city," Daniels said.
The DOTC Pavilion will have performances from The Walking Wolf singers, a First Nations dance troupe, and powwow performers.
Daniels said Diversity Catering will offer food such as bannock and jam, Indian tacos and bison stew.
Daniel Asat, an ambassador for the Ethiopian Pavilion, said Winnipeggers should be prepared for some spicy tastings at the country’s food table.
"It will be delicious, but very spicy," laughed Asat.
Pavilions returning after a brief hiatus include Argentina’s "Tango" Pavilion, Chile Lindo Pavilion, Paraguay "Heart of South America" Pavilion, and the Tamil Pavilion.
Winnipeggers looking for the VIP treatment can purchase the VIP package and receive luxury motorcoach service, access to three pavilions and various foods for the price of $69.95.
But the most important thing to remember is your sense of fun, Gauthier said. "This is a chance for Manitobans to really express themselves."
britt.harvey@freepress.mb.ca