Steinbach’s Vibrant Multicultural Celebration
A multicultural festival in southeastern Manitoba fosters community bonds 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 six-day extravaganza.
Audrey Harder, executive director of the Pat Porter Active Living Centre, notes that the festival initially focused on key local cultures such as Filipino and Ukrainian. “We are such a diverse community, and I don’t think people realize it,” Harder states. “My goal was to see community gather and accept and understand and just grow.”
Diverse Global Experiences in One Location
This year, visitors explore traditions from Ukraine, the Philippines, South Korea, Nigeria, Brazil, India, and Cuba—all without leaving Steinbach. Additional cultural groups have joined since the festival’s inception, drawn by its inclusive spirit.
Volunteers Share Their Heritage
Ruth Olorunfemi, who relocated from Nigeria to Steinbach three years ago to join family, volunteers for the second year with the Nigerian group. “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 explains while arranging a floral display. “That’s what Culturama is all about.”
Olorunfemi already feels at home in Steinbach due to its welcoming atmosphere. Last year, she discovered Fijian customs and sampled their 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 adds. She hopes the event continues to expand with more groups.
Building Unity Through Cultural Exchange
Harder draws inspiration from larger events like Folklorama in Winnipeg but aims to make similar experiences accessible locally. “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 says. “At the end of the day, that understanding is there, that love is there, and we become one as a community.”
Program coordinator Carla Walker shares a memorable moment from Wednesday, when participants dressed her in a hanbok—a traditional Korean garment worn by one attendee at her wedding. “It was quite an honour to be able to do that,” Walker recalls. “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.'”
Strong Community Turnout and Support
Walker reports packed gyms each night, creating an immersive experience. “It’s been a really beautiful response from the community each night,” she says. “We’ve been just packed in our gym, and I’ve been really excited about that.” Tickets sell out nearly every evening, with proceeds funding participating groups’ costs like food preparation. Surplus supports future festivals.
The event culminates on Saturday with a showcase of Cuban traditions.
