Folklorama

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 E7 THE CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS EXTEND BEYOND THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL FOR FOLKLORAMA'S AMBASSADORS GENERAL, WHO ARE BUSY PROMOTING DIVERSITY ALL YEAR ROUND. E very year, the four ambassadors who represent each Folklorama pavilion are also invited to participate in an annual application process to become Ambassadors General for the following year. The competition is steep for the prestigious position, and last July, four rose to the top to win the coveted positions. The 2016 Adult Male Ambassador General is Inderjit Gill and the Adult Female Ambassador General is Martina Vergata. Representing the younger generation, Daniella Archer is the Youth Female Ambassador General while Marcelo Aiello is the Youth Male Ambassador General. For Gill, volunteering at Folklorama provided a network that helped him to battle homesickness after moving to Canada four years ago as a student. He became an ambassador of the Punjab pavilion last year before being chosen to become an Ambassador General this year. "It's been really wonderful. I am attending all the events that Folklorama is sending me to. Even my workplace is very supportive, and there is huge support from the Punjabi community and from my friends as well. We are very excited for this event," he says. "It feels like you get to see all the cultures in Winnipeg in only two weeks. We are sharing our cultures and learning about others, so that brings us together with a bond. We know each other, we understand each other, and we respect each other. We get to know what other communities are like, and that's wonderful." On a personal level, Gill's involvement with Folklorama has helped the pharmacy graduate to bolster his sense of confidence in his new country. "I had rarely done any public speaking before joining Folklorama. I personally developed myself in that way, and I encourage youth from my community and other communities to get involved," Gill says. "I'm also proud because I'm the first ambassador from the Punjabi community to become an Ambassador General. That's also huge." Like Gill, Archer can clearly see the benefits of being involved in Folklorama — especially in the role of an Ambassador General. "I've been going to Folklorama since I was a child. My parents used to take me to pavilions because they always told me how important it was to know where I came from so I could know where I'm going," says Archer, whose father is from Guyana and mother is from Jamaica. "When I turned 12 years old, I asked my parents if I could dance with the Africa-Caribbean Pavilion, and I have danced with them for the past five years. Last year, the co-ordinator asked me to be the Youth Ambassador for the pavilion, and then my family and the co-ordinator encouraged me to join the Ambassadors General competition." Along with the other Ambassadors General, Archer is enjoying the opportunity to represent Folklorama for the entire year. "It's been great for me. We get to represent Folklorama at many events that we wouldn't normally have attended. I find the best part of Folklorama is that once you figure out how similar everybody is, it brings all the various multicultural aspects of Winnipeg together and it really tightens our community," she says. "I also like the theme of 'Woven Together' this year because it's true that Manitoba is like a patchwork. There are lots of different cultures and lots of different perspectives. Once we all unify and we all work together, you gain new perspectives and ideas that improve your global outlook." Embracing her role as an Ambassador General, the Shaftesbury High School graduate encourages everyone to enjoy all Folklorama has to offer. "It's all there for you, and once you access it, you really get a good look at the world. You don't have to go far and you don't have to spend a lot of money," Archer says. "Once you get that support from other people in your community and you truly learn about those around you, it strengthens Manitoba. I really want people to take that opportunity to go out and experience Folklorama." W hen you take part in a VIP tour, you can sit back and relax, knowing all the details are looked after and you will be treated as a special guest everywhere you go. VIP tour groups can bypass lineups, enjoy reserved seating with table service and dine on delicious cultural cuisine — all while indulging in Folklorama's world-class entertainment and being treated to a guided cultural display. For Jenn Letkemann, the VIP World Tour offers the ideal option for an evening out with family and close friends. For this tour, guests enjoy air-conditioned transportation to two or three pavilions as well as a progressive meal (with vegetarian options available) including beverages. Letkemann is a familiar face on the Folklorama scene, having been involved with the annual event for a number of years. "I've been dancing and chairing some departments in the Japan pavilion for quite a while. The department that my family and I chair also happens to be with the bus tours and VIPs that come in," she says. "We seat them, we feed them and we get them their drinks, so I'm very aware of what the tour entails." In a reversal of roles, Letkemann decided to organize a group of coworkers to participate in a VIP World Tour several years ago. To fill up the bus, she invited family members and close friends to join in on the fun. Since then, the annual tradition continues for Letkemann with about 45 friends and relatives participating in a VIP tour each summer. "I've got cousins and aunts and uncles who come along. We like to have fun and we're a little rowdy on our bus. We go to three pavilions in a night. We definitely try to cram in as much as we can," she says. "My family is very food-oriented. We love the schnitzel at the German pavilion — but all the pavilions are really good. They all have something to offer, whether it's great food or a great show." For those who prefer to choose their own pavilions, there is even an option to build your own customized tour for groups of 15 or more people. Like the VIP World Tours, these VIP Customized Tours include transportation, admission and a progressive meal at two or three pavilions of your choice. Some groups tend to focus on a cultural region or culinary preference while others might seek out ideal venues for beer or wine tasting. Night owls can also appreciate the Folklorama experience through VIP Late Night Tours of three pavilions, including a domestic alcoholic drink and meal at the first stop followed by a non-alcoholic drink and dessert at the second. The tour wraps up with a cultural alcoholic drink and appetizer at the final pavilion of the evening. Another late-night option is the VIP Party Tour, which features food and drinks before ending up with music and dancing at the last of three pavilions on the route. For groups that prefer an active approach, VIP Cycle Tours and Walking Tours are also available. These two- pavilion tours include a meal at the first stop and a dessert at the last, as well as non-alcoholic beverages at both. For the cycle tours, participants need to wear CSA-certified helmets, and they are responsible for bringing their own bikes and locks. With something for everyone, the VIP Accessibility Tour provides peace of mind by offering a fully accessible experience. This two-pavilion tour includes wheelchair-accessible transportation for the entire evening as well as food and beverages. For out-of-town guests, the Folklorama experience is easy as pie since hotel accommodations can be added to a VIP tour. For added ease, the tours depart directly from several select hotel sites, and a new departure location at Travel Manitoba at The Forks. The VIP tours start at $34.95 per person. For more information or to book a Folklorama VIP tour, visit folklorama.ca. Ambassadors General promote Folklorama year round By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press L-R: Inderjit Gill, 2016 Adult Male Ambassador General and Daniella Archer, 2016 Youth Female Ambassador General. Photo courtesy of Folklorama See Folklorama in a new way on a VIP tour By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press FOLKLORAMA OFFERS THE CHANCE FOR YOU TO EMBARK ON AN INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE WITHOUT HAVING TO VENTURE FAR FROM HOME. AND BY PARTICIPATING IN A VIP TOUR, THE EXPERIENCE BECOMES EVEN MORE UNFORGETTABLE. Above: A 2015 Folklorama VIP Tour takes visitors to the Korean Pavilion, Greek Pavilion and Spirit of Ukraine Pavilion. Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files

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