Belgian Pavilion withdraws from Folklorama
Club pulls out after controversy over inflammatory comments from board member
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$19 $0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for four weeks then billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Offer only available to new and qualified returning subscribers. Cancel any time.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/07/2018 (2349 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Festival-goers seeking to gorge themselves on Belgian waffles at Folklorama will have to look elsewhere this year — the Belgian Pavilion has pulled out of the multicultural celebration days before it begins across the city.
For the past 31 years, the Belgian Club of Winnipeg has hosted its namesake pavilion for the annual event that features food, cultural displays and performances from around the world.
The move comes in the wake of a recent controversy at the Belgian Club.
On July 28, the Canadian Nationalist Party rented space at the facility at 407 Provencher Blvd. for a rally, which was disrupted by protesters. In the ensuing arguments, a Belgian Club voluntary board member made inflammatory comments, implying it’s easier for visible minorities to gain employment.
She subsequently resigned, and the club made a statement denouncing the event, adding many of its members are related to war veterans who fought against fascism.
“The Belgian Pavilion has voluntarily withdrawn from the 2018 Folklorama festival. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause,” according to a statement on the festival’s Facebook page posted Wednesday morning.
A spokesperson for Folklorama, which begins Sunday and runs through Aug. 18, would not elaborate on the reason for the withdrawal when reached by phone.
The 113-year-old Belgian Club did not respond to an email from the Free Press requesting comment on the move to shutter the pavilion nor did it answer phone calls.
“The Belgian Club and our Folklorama volunteers deeply regret that due to recent events, we have to pause, reflect and step back from providing a Belgian Pavilion this year,” a statement posted Wednesday afternoon on the club’s website reads.
“We do not feel we can provide an event that meets our standards at this time.”
It also states the club plans to review its relationship with the festival.
People who bought advance tickets to the Belgian Pavilion will have their money refunded.
erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca
Erik Pindera
Reporter
Erik Pindera reports for the city desk, with a particular focus on crime and justice.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Erik Pindera
Reporter
Erik Pindera reports for the city desk, with a particular focus on crime and justice.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Related Articles
Belgian Club board member resigns amid controversy over planned Canadian Nationalist Party event
Advertisement Advertise With Us