Folklorama ready to party again

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This article was published 27/07/2022 (882 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s time to toast the many cultures that make Winnipeg a vibrant city.

After two years of cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Folklorama is getting ready to roll. City hall hosted a kickoff event Thursday.

“It feels amazing to be back. The pandemic hit us really hard and Folklorama being back gives us the opportunity to connect and share our culture with the city,” said Lovepreet Singh Virdi, first-year ambassador for the Punjab pavilion.

Virdi is one of three new ambassadors for the Punjab pavilion, which will be held at 1770 King Edward St. in the second week of the two-week event.

“Folklorama is great because you get to celebrate diversity, but also, it clears up some of the misconceptions about different cultures. When you get to experience the culture first-hand, you get to learn more about it without any filters,” Maheep Rehsia, first-year ambassador, who has been with the Punjab pavilion since 2012, said.

The event was attended by civic and provincial government officials, festival staff, volunteers and cultural ambassadors.

“Folklorama’s mission is to celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding and I cannot think of a better place in the world for Folklorama than Winnipeg. This is what being a Winnipegger is all about,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.

Virdi said government support gives them a boost of confidence and pushes them to improve their pavilion.

“Having support like that means a lot for us and strengthens the foundation of Folklorama, especially after the pandemic.”

Teresa Cotroneo, Folklorama’s executive director, is excited to have the event back in person.

“Folklorama is so much more than just a festival. It truly is a sharing of knowledge, culture and values and really about family coming back together year after year. Everyone has a Folklorama story. Everyone has a connection to the event in some way, so that’s special,” she said. “Being able to come together today and start to feel that energy that we’ve missed for the last couple of years is encouraging.”

The festival will feature 24 pavilions from July 31 until Aug. 13.

bryce.hunt@freepress.mb.ca