A Celebration of Soul, Sound, and Unity: Why Winnipeg’s 55th Folklorama Never Gets Old

By: Donovan Maritn Sr, Editor in Chief

There is a distinct, electric energy that washes over Winnipeg every August,and trust me, we will be giving you the most amazing write-ups in the next two weeks to come! It is the sound of brass instruments tuning up in lively halls, the rich, mouth-watering aromas of roasting spices and freshly baked treats wafting through neighbourhood centres, and the rhythmic tap of dancing feet warming up behind stage curtains. Folklorama is back, celebrating its milestone 55th festival, and it remains hands down the largest, best-run, and most jaw-droppingly vibrant multicultural celebration anywhere on the planet!

For two unforgettable weeks starting Sunday, August 2nd, the entire city transforms into a buzzing global village. It’s a festival powered by pure, unadulterated passion, where generations gather not just to entertain, but to share the rich, sacred stories of where they come from and who they are. While the food is legendary and the music is completely infectious, the absolute soul of Folklorama has always been its people. Nowhere was this more profoundly felt than at this year’s opening citizenship ceremony, where over 40 new Canadians representing 19 different countries officially took their oaths. Moments like these never, ever get old!

Watching Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière swear in these new Canadians, you are immediately struck by her unwavering warmth, infectious enthusiasm, and deep sense of duty. Having witnessed Judge Carrière welcome new citizens on may occassions over the decade, it is downright inspiring to see that same radiant passion burning just as brightly today. Beyond the joy of welcoming newcomers, the ceremony provided a powerful, moving synopsis of Canada’s First Nations communities, reminding everyone present of the foundational role Indigenous peoples hold in this nation and the vital, ongoing importance of reconciliation. As Judge Carrière guides each person through their final steps into Canadian citizenship, you are reminded of the rich, beautiful tapestry that makes this country and this festival so deeply special. Folklorama isn’t just a showcase of world heritage; it’s a living, breathing, open-armed welcome home.

This year’s milestone 55th anniversary is pulling out all the stops with 45 ethno-cultural pavilions scattered across the city. The lineup features thrilling new additions like the Heart of Romania and Salvadorian Pavilions, alongside the triumphant, high-energy return of the Mexican, Chilean, and First Nations Pavilions. Last year, our team was fortunate enough to cover roughly 30 pavilions, but this year, we are taking on the ultimate challenge: we will be covering all 45! Every single venue offers something truly extraordinary that will blow you away. You can step onto the stage and do the limbo of the-energy rhythm of the Africa Caribbean and Caribbean Pavilions, feel the deep-rooted storytelling at the British Isles and Portuguese Pavilions, or revel in the passionate, unstoppable energy of the Italian Pavilion. Over at the Magdaragat Philippines Pavilion, you might even find yourself jumping right into the action and dancing to the lightning-fast footwork of the traditional Tinikling bamboo dance! What makes these shows so mesmerising is the incredible range of talent on display. On any given night, you’ll witness seasoned, world-class professional performers sharing the exact same stage with wide-eyed kids proudly cutting their teeth on their very first routines.

For long-time volunteers, the festival represents a lifelong commitment to heritage, pride, and community love. As Jeff, a first-time Adult Ambassador for the Ukrainian community performing at The Maples, put it so brilliantly: “Folklorama isn’t just an event we put on for two weeks, it’s the culmination of months of pride, love, and community spirit. Stepping onto that stage at The Maples representing our culture, alongside families who have poured their hearts into this for decades, is an honour like no other. It brings people together in a way nothing else can.” That kind of dedication is woven into the very fabric of every single venue you step into!

A festival with 55 years of rich history knows how to honour its roots while constantly levelling up for the future. To mark this grand anniversary, renowned local muralist Mandy van Leeuwen is recreating and updating the striking mural she originally painted for the 50th festival, bringing vibrant new life to the side of the iconic Mordens’ of Winnipeg building on Sargent Avenue after the original was obscured by new construction. Executive Director Teresa Cotroneo shared how excited the organization is to give Mandy’s gorgeous work another chance to shine and promote the colourful traditions of our ethno-cultural communities.

On top of that, Folklorama is taking massive strides in environmental sustainability! Following a wildly successful pilot project that diverted nearly 3,000 kilograms of waste across nine venues, the festival is expanding its composting initiative to all 45 pavilions. For our resident journalist and veteran environmentalist Don Woodstock, who will be photo and video documenting all 45 pavilions with us this year, seeing this city-wide shift is a huge milestone. “Decades ago, we fought tooth and nail in this city just to get big blue bins rolled out, switch garbage day to recycling day, and replace single-use plastic bags,” Woodstock reflected. “To see an event as massive as Folklorama lead by example with full-scale composting across every single pavilion shows that celebrating our roots and protecting our planet go hand in hand.”

At the helm of this incredible powerhouse is Executive Director Teresa Cotroneo, whose steady vision helps guide an event that has welcomed millions of visitors to Winnipeg over the decades, generating vital economic impact and directly funding the preservation of local ethno-cultural traditions for generations to come. But as Cotroneo will be the first to tell you, executing a festival of this magnitude is a massive team effort. From the Director of Ethno-Cultural Arts and the Coordinator of Festival Operations & Memberships to the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Engagement alongside thousands of dedicated volunteers—it is this tireless crew that turns Folklorama into the best-run, most well-oiled multicultural machine in the world.

Even better, Folklorama continues to be one of the absolute most affordable family events in the province! With general admission set at just $7.50 plus applicable fees and kids 12 and under entering completely free it’s an unbeatable passport to the world. Plus, if you needed one more reason to embark on a massive cross-city tour, visiting pavilions enters you for a chance to win a dream European river cruise, with every single new pavilion you visit counting as another entry!

Folklorama is a glowing testament to what happens when a city opens its heart, its kitchens, and its stages to the world. It’s a masterclass in community spirit, a feast for all five senses, and an incredible tribute to the hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes. Whether you’re going for the mouth-watering authentic food, the breathtaking world-class shows, or simply to cheer on your neighbours, get out there and support this extraordinary local talent. Get your appetite ready and your walking shoes laced up, we will be giving you the most amazing write-ups in the next two weeks to come, so stay tuned, and we’ll see you out on the festival trail!