A multicultural festival in southeastern Manitoba unites communities by highlighting diverse traditions. Held at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre in Steinbach, Culturama has expanded from a three-day event six years ago into a vibrant six-day celebration.
Festival Growth and Community Impact
Audrey Harder, executive director at Pat Porter Active Living Centre, notes the event initially focused on key local groups like Filipino and Ukrainian communities. “We are such a diverse community, and I don’t think people realize it,” Harder stated. “My goal was to see community gather and accept and understand and just grow.”
Since its start, additional groups have joined, allowing visitors this year to experience Ukraine, the Philippines, South Korea, Nigeria, Brazil, India, and Cuba—all without leaving Steinbach. Harder draws inspiration from larger events like Folklorama in Winnipeg but emphasizes Culturama’s local accessibility. “I see it as an opportunity for the community to unite and become one. No matter where you’re from, who you are, you love your neighbour,” she added. “At the end of the day, that understanding is there, that love is there, and we become one as a community.”
Volunteers Share Their Heritage
Ruth Olorunfemi, volunteering with the Nigerian group for her second year, moved to Steinbach from Nigeria in 2023 to join family. “Since we are from different parts of the world, we come to be in Canada here just to express our own nationality, how our traditions work,” she said while preparing a floral display. “That’s what Culturama is all about.”
Olorunfemi describes Steinbach as feeling like home due to its welcoming atmosphere. Last year, she explored Fijian customs and cuisine. “It’s a unique way to let them know how you were brought up, how you can teach them where you are from, how they can learn from you … and try to learn from their culture also,” she explained. She hopes the festival expands to include even more cultures.
Staff Immersion in Traditions
Program coordinator Carla Walker shares how presenting groups often provide cultural attire for staff. On Wednesday, she donned a hanbok—a traditional South Korean garment worn by one participant at her wedding. “It was quite an honour to be able to do that,” Walker said. “I thanked her and said what an honour it was. She had said to me, ‘It was quite an honour for us, for you to do that.'”
Walker aims for attendees to feel transported to each country. “It’s been a really beautiful response from the community each night,” she noted. “We’ve been just packed in our gym, and I’ve been really excited about that.” Tickets sell out nearly every evening, with proceeds supporting the groups’ costs like food preparation and funding future festivals.
The event concludes Saturday with a showcase of Cuban culture.
