Opening night enthralls audience

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This article was published 07/02/2025 (234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 2025 Westman Multicultural Festival opened Thursday with a vibrant display of dance, music and cultural heritage at the Ukrainian National Home.

The Ukrainian pavilion, hosted by the Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance, showcased an alluring lineup of performances featuring dancers as young as four years old. The young dancers, dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire with colourful embroidered costumes and signature red shoes, captivated an audience of more than 200 attendees, earning a standing ovation.

It was exciting hosting the opening ceremony this year, president Darla Nickel told the Sun on Thursday.

“Everything’s growing and coming back from COVID, and it’s fantastic. We are so excited to be hosting the opening ceremonies, especially with so many cultures coming together again,” she said. “It’s wonderful to celebrate everybody and to be able to host and share our Ukrainian national anthem.”

She highlighted the significance of the event for the Ukrainian community in Brandon, especially given the ongoing war in Ukraine. Many of the dancers’ families have loved ones back home, making the performance not only a celebration, but also a demonstration of resilience and unity.

The evening’s performances choreographed by senior instructors Tynnille Chomenchuk-Bouchard, Jodi Woloski, Mikayla Kurchaba and Valeriya Boiko, demonstrated the depth of Ukrainian cultural traditions. The pavilion added Morgan Leshchyshyn and Jillian Hoffman as extra junior instructors this year.

Nickel noted some instructors had travelled to Ukraine before the war, bringing back authentic dance styles that were incorporated into this year’s showcase.

The preparation, however, was not without challenges, as costumes and boots ordered from Ukraine faced logistical hurdles.

“Last year, we had to mule our boots over the Ukraine-Poland border to get them shipped to Canada,” Nickel revealed, describing the perseverance of the group in keeping their cultural heritage alive.

Beyond the performances, the Ukrainian pavilion also delighted audiences with an array of traditional foods, including perogies, crepes filled with blueberry filling, and dill pickle vareniki.

Meanwhile, at the North End Community Centre, the El Salvador pavilion provided another exhilarating experience for more than 120 attendees. The hall was filled with both Salvadorans and other Brandon-area residents eager to enjoy the festival. The performances depicted elements of Salvadoran life, including traditional farming and harvest routines, through intricate choreography.

The pavilion has grown over the last five years and still counting, Directiva Cuscatlecos en Brandon vice-president Nestor Navidad told the Sun.

“We’ve been running the pavilion for over five years now, and we try to stay connected with the community through different events year-round. This is the main event we run,” he said. “Last year, the pavilion welcomed about 3,000 visitors over three days, and we anticipate similar attendance numbers this year.”

The El Salvador pavilion featured an extensive variety of traditional foods, including pupusas, panes con pollo and choco-bananas. “If you are down to trying something new, you are more than welcome here,” Navidad said, encouraging visitors to explore the rich flavours of Salvadoran cuisine.

The Indian pavilion, held at the Victoria Inn, was the third pavilion to open on Thursday as part of the Westman Multicultural Festival, adding to the vibrant celebrations of cultural diversity.

The festival is a passport for the audience to experience global traditions without leaving Brandon, Westman Multicultural Festival Society event co-ordinator Kerselin Fumier told the Sun Thursday evening.

Having been part of the festival for 19 years, Fumier acknowledged the challenges in securing funding but remained committed to ensuring the event thrives.

“Our grant was denied this year, and we don’t know how many pavilions will be in debt after this. But it’s always fun for me. Every year, I try to get new countries involved. This year, we added Palestine, Haiti, Colombia and Nigeria,” he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Municipal and Northern Affairs Minister Glen Simard, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen, Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire and Westman Immigrant Services executive director Enver Naidoo among others, all of whom praised the festival for its celebration of cultural diversity and community spirit.

Fawcett expressed his pride in the city’s multicultural identity, noting that the festival truly reflects the spirit of Brandon.

“These events are what Brandon is all about. We established our Ukrainian sister city last year, and we’re looking at more opportunities,” he said. “The festival’s food, music, and dance, call it a celebration of community and diversity.”

Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire commended the organizers, volunteers and sponsors for their contributions to the festival’s success.

“This festival has been a tremendous tradition for 22 years, and it’s wonderful to see it continue to bring the community together,” he said.

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