Russian pavilion bows out of Folklorama to focus on Ukraine support

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This article was published 07/03/2022 (1061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Folklorama’s long-running Russian pavilion has cancelled its participation in the upcoming 2022 multicultural festival, in protest of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sofia Barklon, pavilion co-ordinator, said the local board’s decision was unanimous.

“It is not the time for dancing and fun now,” said Barklon, who grew up in the Soviet Union in what is now Russia, later moving to Latvia, before emigrating nearly 30 years ago.

“Our community opposes the military action in Russia against Ukraine.”

The pavilion’s board — which includes members with origins outside Russia, including Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine — has decided to refocus its efforts toward gathering humanitarian aid, Barklon said.

“We will help Ukrainian people with every means available to us,” she said Monday. “We think now, our pavilion is better to spend our money on this stuff than on Folklorama.”

The group dispatched its first package of food, diapers and medical supplies March 1.

Barklon has been the Russian pavilion co-ordinator for 20 years, with the group not missing a festival during her tenure.

Folklorama was cancelled in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the 2021 event was presented in an online format only.

It’s important Russian communities abroad speak out against the war, Barklon said, acknowledging concerns those who have family in Russia may face repercussions by doing so.

“Canadian people have to know we’re against it, and for peace,” she said.

Svitlana Maluzynsky — a Canadian of Ukrainian descent who has volunteered at both the Ukrainian and Russian Folklorama pavilions and has family and friends in Ukraine — commended the board’s decision.

“I thought it was the right move. I don’t think it’s an easy decision, and I don’t think it’s fair that they’re put in that kind of a position, but I do think that it shows the Russian community in Manitoba is standing in solidarity with Ukrainians,” Maluzynsky said.

“It feels like it’s necessary to take a large step like that and make space for Ukrainians at this time.”

Folklorama director of communications Tanya Williams said the organization respects the decision and looks forward to the eventual return of the Russian pavilion.

Folklorama, which bills itself as the largest and longest-running multicultural festival of its type in the world, has been active since 1970.

The 2022 edition is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 13.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca