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Folklorama: background

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Folklorama: What's it all about?

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Folklorama originated in 1970 as a one-time event sponsored by the City of Winnipeg to commemorate the 100th birthday of the Province of Manitoba and to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of the people who settled in Manitoba and Canada.

In 1970, many of the pavilions were hosted in church basements and community halls. Everyone enjoyed the festival's exhilarating atmosphere, exotic foods, and captivating cultural displays so much that the fun never stopped! The response to Folklorama was overwhelming, with more than 75,000 visitors attending. Since then, Folklorama has become an annual celebration of diversity and kinship.

Folklorama is now an annual two-week multicultural extravaganza. Exhilarating entertainment is so impressive and internationally renowned that artistic scouts from Walt Disney World have visited the festival regularly to book local talent for Epcot Centre performances in Orlando, Florida.

The success of Folklorama can be attributed to the dedicated effort of its volunteers. More than 20,000 volunteers invest countless hours staffing pavilions, preparing traditional recipes, entertaining, and demonstrating handicrafts. This pride in celebrating cultural heritage, the opportunity to share it with visitors, and a great sense of accomplishment is what motivates volunteers to extend their heartwarming hospitality year after year.

Although Folklorama has grown in size and stature since its creation in 1970, it has managed to retain the true essence of the festival taking pride in and sharing one's unique cultural heritage.

Who is the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg Inc.?

The Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg Inc. is a not-for-profit cultural organization representing tens of thousands of individuals serving the folk arts in Manitoba who are working to encourage an appreciation and acceptance of the folk arts through a variety of activities and events.

The Council's members are a cross-section of groups and individuals devoted to promoting particular cultures and heritage through: (i) the exchange of information, (ii) provision of educational programs, (iii) public performances of music, dance and drama, (iv) artisan exhibitions, (v) culinary activities, and (vi) Folklorama.

The mission of the Folk Arts Council is to promote, develop, preserve, maintain and recognize the understanding and acceptance of all cultures that reflect the mosaic found in Winnipeg (in particular) and in Manitoba and Canada (as a whole) by responding to the needs of the multicultural community and to hold an annual festival called Folklorama.

Folklorama Accolades and Awards

• Folklorama is the largest and longest running event of its kind in the world
• Folklorama was recognized as the festival best depicting Canadian culture by the World Tourism Organization
• Folklorama has been named the #1 Event in Canada by the American Bus Association
• Folklorama has been repeatedly named one of the top ten Super Events in North America by the American Bus Association