Folklorama

Author: Jessica
This I some info from www.folklorama.ca for any one who does not know what it is about.
Experience the energy of Folklorama, the largest and longest running multicultural event of its kind in the world! From traditional home-cooked meals to electrifying nightly performances by local, national and international entertainers, Folklorama will create a feast for the senses as you experience 45 cultural pavilions. Take home a keepsake of your visit by exploring the cultural display areas found in each pavilion.

WHERE IS THE FESTIVAL SITE?

There is no central site for the festival. Folklorama venues are spread throughout the entire city of Winnipeg in school auditoriums, arenas, curling rinks and cultural centres. Locations tend to be clustered together, and shows timed, so it is possible to visit three pavilions in one evening.

WHO ATTENDS THE FESTIVAL?

There is something for everyone at Folklorama! With free admission for children 12 and under, it is a popular event for families with young children. Late night parties (listed in the Travel Guide) are very popular with young people. And there are a variety of shows and delicious food options that are appealing to people of all ages.

STAMP YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD!

The stamps are back! When you enter the pavilions, ask to get your Travel Guide stamped so you can keep a souvenir record of your trip to Folklorama.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long has Folklorama been around?
Folklorama was first held in 1970, and was intended to be a one-time event to celebrate Manitoba’s Centennial. But it was so successful, it has been held every year since then. In 2007 we will celebrate our 38th festival.

2. How many pavilions were there originally?
In 1970, the festival was one week long with 21 pavilions and over 75,000 pavilion visits.

3. Which pavilions have consistently been in Folklorama since 1970?
There are four pavilions that have consistently been in year after year since the start of Folklorama in 1970 and they are: German, Philippine-Nayong, Ukraine-Kyiv, and Greek.

4. How many pavilions are there for the 2007 festival?
In 2007 we will have 45 pavilions.

5. Were there any new pavilions?
In 2007 we have two new pavilions, the Mexico Pavilion which is being presented by a new sponsoring organization. And the Serbian “Kolo” Pavilion is also new this year. We also have 5 returning pavilions: Argentina “Tango” Pavilion, Chinese Pavilion, Croatian Pavilion “Zagreb”, Hungary Pavilion, Pavillon canadien-français.

6. What is the format for the festival?
Since 1988 Folklorama has run in a two-week format with half of the pavilions running in week one and half in week two.

7. How many people attend Folklorama?
Typically Folklorama has over 400,000 pavilion visits, and in 2006 we welcomed 458,000 pavilion visits.

8. How many people from outside of Winnipeg visit Folklorama?
Based on a 2001 study, approximately 21% of visitors come from outside Winnipeg, traveling from as far away as Australia, Korea and Paraguay.

9. How are the funds from admissions used?
Admission revenue goes both to Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg for the continued operation of Folklorama, and to the sponsoring organizations that run the pavilions.

10. Where can I find out the when and where of pavilions and other information about the festival?
The Folklorama Travel Guide is your best source of information on the festival. It includes: show times and hours of operation, special events and contest information, names and addresses of pavilions, listing of pavilions along with a map of their locations. It is available on the Web site by the beginning of July. The Folklorama Travel Guide will be available the first week of July at Manitoba Liquor Marts and Cambrian Credit Union branches, as well as hotels and tourism offices.

11. Does Folklorama have a Kick-Off or opening ceremonies?
Folklorama begins with a free Kick-Off celebration the day before the festival begins. For 2007, Manitoba Lotteries Corporation presents the Kick-Off August 4 at The Forks.

12. What kinds of food will I be able to sample?
Each pavilion offers a menu of ethnic food and drinks typical of their culture. The cost of food and beverages are not included in your admission cost.

13. What kind of entertainment will I see at each pavilion?
You will be entertained with a variety of cultural music, folk dance, or demonstrations of skills representative of the culture.

14. What are your statistics on performers, food service and volunteers who participate?

  • Typically, more than 3,000 entertainers perform at more than 1,500 shows throughout the two week festival.
  • Typically 600,000 meals are served and 1,000,000 beverages poured.
  • Approximately 20,000 volunteers participate to make Folklorama possible.
  • Based on 2001 study Folklorama has an economic impact of $14.7 million on the Manitoba economy.

15. Are souvenirs available?
Most pavilions offer cultural items such as costumes, carvings, and jewelry for sale. Folklorama postcards and t-shirts may also be available for sale at pavilions.

16. Whom do I ask for information about a pavilion?
Once you are inside the pavilion, you can ask one of the Ambassadors or the Pavilion Tour Host for specific information.

17. Does Folklorama have a mascot?
Yes, the Folklorama Llama was introduced in 1986. He was chosen because he is a world traveler who likes the multicultural diversity of Winnipeg.

18. Who staffs the pavilions?
Pavilions are staffed by over 20,000 volunteers who wish to promote their ethnocultural heritage.

19. What is the best way to see as much of Folklorama as possible?
Many festival-goers review the pavilion descriptions and pick the pavilions that are at the top of their ‘must see’ list. Then, using the map, determine which pavilions are close to their top choices, and then schedule their visits so they can see two or three shows in one evening.

20. Who is involved in organizing Folklorama?
Folklorama is organized by Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg, various ethno-cultural organizations and thousands of dedicated volunteers from every walk of life. It is a non-political event.

21. When does the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg start planning the Folklorama festival?
Preparations for Folklorama start approximately one year in advance. When one Folklorama festival is finished the staff begins planning for the next year’s festival.

22. What organization repeatedly names Folklorama as a Top Ten Super Event in North America?
The American Bus Association.

23. What Guinness record did Folklorama achieve?
In 1991, Folklorama achieved the Guinness record for the longest conga line in Canada with 1,003 dancers.

24. Why do artistic scouts from Walt Disney World attend Folklorama?
Scouts from Walt Disney World come to Folklorama regularly to book entertainment for Epcot Centre performances.

25. What awards has Folklorama received?

  • The Festival Best Depicting Canadian Culture by the World Tourism Organization.
  • 7 Pinnacle Awards by the International Festivals & Events Association (1997 and 1998)
  • Top Ten Super Event in North America by the American Bus Association
  • Recognized as an Internationally Known Super Event by the ABA
  • Best Cultural Event in 1999 by the Canadian Event Industry
  • Manitoba Attractions Canada Winner, 1999 and 2000
  • Voted by Reader’s Digest as the Best Multicultural Festival in Canada, 2006

26. When will Folklorama be held in the future?
Folklorama always runs the first two weeks in August starting with the Sunday of the Civic Holiday weekend. In 2008, the festival will run from August 3 to the 16.

27. Why would I want to get my Travel Guide stamped?
One of the fun components of Folklorama in the past was bringing your Folklorama Passport to each pavilion and receiving a stamp at the door. The Passport had all of your admission tickets and a place to have your Passport stamped – imitating the actual process of entering a new country. When the admissions changed in 1995 the Passport was replaced by a Guide and single admissions purchased at the door of the pavilion. Stamping became another piece of history.

In 2006, the stamping component of the Passport returned. Now there is a watermark for each pavilion in your Travel Guide with space to get a stamp at every pavilion you visit. This becomes your souvenir record of what pavilions you visited. Hang on to it and you’ll always know which pavilions you visited year to year.