Folklorama major fundraiser for local cultural organizations
On top of getting a chance to highlight their culture, Folklorama is also proving to be an important source of funding for local cultural groups.
The festival features cultures from around the world -- showing their food, dance and history.
For the organizations that run the pavilions, it's much more important than just a fun time.
Returning after a pandemic break, organizers at the Africa pavilion weren't sure how busy it would be.
"Coming in this year, we're not so sure how things would turn out because of COVID, so we limited the number of the performances we would have," said Frank Indome, media coordinator for the pavilion.
With the final night of Folklorma now here, Indome is calling it a big success.
"We've had three shows throughout the week; 6:45, 815 and 9:45," said Indome, "The first two shows are usually sold out and today, being the last day, we're expecting a very large crowd to come."
While the African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI), the organization that runs the pavilion, says sharing their cultures has been nice, the funds raised from the pavilion are very important.
"So we put on our pavilion as a fundraiser. The African communities have been looking forward to having a centre of its own, and yeah, we've been fundraising for some time now," said Indome.
Indome said ACOMI already has a plan in place for the centre.
"So the structure that we have there will be a hall similar to this for entertainment, also for youth to play basketball, some indoor as sports and activities," explained Indome.
Indome said the centre also plans on having a daycare.
On top of the centre, the plan is to have apartments for families and seniors who recently immigrated or need housing.
With funding still needed and many more people willing to learn about African culture, ACOMI said it's already looking forward to next year's Folklorama.
"Yeah, in fact, we've been having the Africa pavilion for the past 20 years, and we've not missed a year, so long as Folklorama has the festival, we're definitely going to participate," Indome said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.