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Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg's Folklorama cultural festival is chockablock with cultural activities for kids

When it comes to activities to occupy children, this year's Folklorama is packed with engaging experiences to keep young visitors entertained and inspired. Strap on virtual-reality goggles and step into the 500-year-old Madurai Meenakshi Hindu temple, nestled in the heart of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, South India, at the Tamil pavilion. Learn the art of lion dance, steeped in history dating back to China's Han Dynasty, from skilled performers weaving a story of good fortune and prosperity. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mayor Scott Gillingham greets pavilion ambassadors at the official Folklorama kickoff Wednesday at the Leaf. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mayor Scott Gillingham greets pavilion ambassadors at the official Folklorama kickoff Wednesday at the Leaf. Week 1: August 3 – 9 British Isles Chinese Egyptian Italian Métis Pabellon de Espana Spirit of Ukraine Week 2: August 10 – 16 Africa/Caribbean Greek Modern Chinese Pearl of the Orient Phillipine Romanian Ukraine Kyiv Get your hair braided or twisted, Cuban style, design your own Egyptian Shabti, try to write your name in different scripts or learn simple phrases in different languages. With a little bit of planning, you'll find there's more than enough to keep kids busy during the annual two-week cultural celebration. At the Ukraine Kyiv pavilion, children can create a swallow — a symbol of Ukraine and hope. Each swallow will feature wings decorated with a vyshyvanka-style ornament representing traditional Ukrainian embroidery. Once complete, the swallows will be hung from string to form a mobile called Nadiya (Hope) — reminding visitors that light and goodness always overcome darkness. 'This year's kids' activity area reflects a conscious and thoughtful approach to family engagement — combining creative exploration, cultural education and fun in a well-balanced and welcoming setting,' says pavilion co-ordinator Yury Kruk. 'It's an opportunity for young guests to connect with Ukrainian heritage in meaningful ways and for families to enjoy quality time together in a calmer, more intentional space.' JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Performers at the Brazilian pavilion demonstrate their musical and physical skills at Folklorama 2024. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Performers at the Brazilian pavilion demonstrate their musical and physical skills at Folklorama 2024. Now in its 54th year, the annual summer event — recognized as the world's largest and longest-running multicultural festival — runs from tomorrow to Aug. 16. This year there are 43 pavilions at venues across the city, including two new spots: Modern Chinese and Mabuhay Phillipine. 'The Mabuhay pavilion showcases Luzon, the largest of the three main islands in the Philippines, while the Modern Chinese pavilion will introduce visitors to the global Chinese community in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan,' says Folklorama's executive director Teresa Cotroneo. Visitors are advised to plan early and book ahead of time to not miss out — tickets for earlier performances sell fast so it's best to buy in advance. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Folklorama kicked off its 54th season at a launch party with all the pavilion ambassadors dressed in their cultural clothing at the Leaf on Wednesday. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Folklorama kicked off its 54th season at a launch party with all the pavilion ambassadors dressed in their cultural clothing at the Leaf on Wednesday. 'Get there early, get your food, enjoy the show and then take time to go through the display and the children's activities after the show so you can have an immersive experience,' advises Cotroneo. Admission is free for children 12 and under, but they still need their own ticket. For those who would rather not wait in line for their food, some pavilions are offering the option of booking dinner reservations. Proceeds from each pavilion are channelled back into the community so the next generation can learn and carry on the traditions and customs that make up their culture. Tickets to each pavilion are $7.50 plus fees at Book early to secure showtimes — popular pavilions sell out ahead of time. Plan your route — use the map on pages 28 and 29 of the Travel Guide to plan your night based on pavilions close to one another. Save on bulk ticket purchases — buy the multipack of 10 tickets and save $10 compared to buying individual tickets. Combo tickets — Want to check out the last show of the night and the late-night party? Opt for a combo ticket at the discounted price of $13.50. Pavilions with late-night parties are: Week 1: Caribbean Chile Lindo Mabuhay Philippine Week 2: Brazilian Cuban German Scotland Travel like a VIP – book a VIP Tour to skip the lines, enjoy a meal and take in a guided tour of the cultural display with your own private tour guide. AV KitchingReporter AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV. Every piece of reporting AV produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. 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