Festival returns, virtually

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This article was published 07/07/2021 (1861 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Folklorama, Winnipeg’s festival of multiculturalism that’s happened every year but one since 1970, is back.

Cancelled last year due to the pandemic, it returns from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8 as a free livestreamed extravaganza bringing its international pavilions under one roof at the Burton Cummings Theatre.

It’s an event executive director Teresa Cotroneo hopes will make up for lost time.

“After having to cancel the 51st festival in 2020, the Folklorama family has created a unique, one-of-a-kind fusion event for 2021,” Cotroneo said during an online launch event Tuesday morning, which began with an opening prayer by elder Barb Nepinak.

“Travel around the world without packing your bags,” Cotroneo said; no passport required, the media release announced.

The Friday night festivities will showcase Asia and Africa. On Saturday night, the Americas will get a chance to shine. And to close the event, Europe will be highlighted on Sunday. Registration information and the full schedule of performances is available at folklorama.ca, with every minute livestreamed on YouTube, where the videos will remain for a few weeks after the event wraps up.

When Folklorama was cancelled last April as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened worldwide, a virtual program such as this one never materialized. When stakeholders met in the fall, it was clear that there was a desire to come up with a safe alternative in 2021, said Stan Hall, the president of the board of directors.

Hall said the online event is a way to “keep the spirit of Folklorama alive.”

Cotroneo said that will be done through more than just performance: the online event will feature a virtual ethnocultural marketplace, an online 50/50 raffle, and yes, a COVID-friendly way to eat food representing every continent and culture: for the first time, the festival will have an ethnocultural food week, partnering with local restaurants and organizations to share recipes representing a global appetite. Interested parties can contact Folklorama to participate.

Also on the call were adult ambassadors Calvin Loi and Jan-Michael Reyes, representing the Chinese and Pearl of the Orient Philippine pavilions respectively, and the youth ambassadors Vivian Shen (Chinese Pavilion) and Donovan Martin (Caribbean Pavilion.) Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries president and CEO Manny Atwal delivered remarks on behalf of his organization, the event’s main sponsor.

While those on the call were excited to announce this year’s event, there was also a sombre moment of silence for Folklorama fans and volunteers who were impacted by the pandemic, and later, a hint at what was in the works for 2022.

Hall said planning was underway for a traditional, in-person event to be held next year from July 31 through Aug. 13.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca