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 into a six-day event since launching six years ago.
Festival Origins and Expansion
Audrey Harder, executive director of the Pat Porter Active Living Centre, notes that the event started as a three-day gathering focused on key local cultures, such as Filipino and Ukrainian groups. “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.”
Over time, additional cultural groups have joined, drawing interest from around the world. This year, visitors explored Ukraine, the Philippines, South Korea, Nigeria, Brazil, India, and Cuba—all without leaving Steinbach.
Volunteer Spotlights Cultural Exchange
Ruth Olorunfemi, volunteering with the Nigerian group for her second year, moved to Steinbach from Nigeria three years ago to join family members. “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 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 added. She hopes the festival grows to include even more groups.
Building Community Through Shared Experiences
Harder draws inspiration from similar events but emphasizes accessibility for locals. “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 said. “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 how participating groups often provide traditional attire. On one evening, she donned a hanbok—a traditional Korean garment worn by a participant at her wedding. “It was quite an honour to be able to do that,” Walker recalled. “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 immersed in each culture. “It’s been a really beautiful response from the community each night,” she said. “We’ve been just packed in our gym, and I’ve been really excited about that.”
Event Success and Future Support
Nearly every night sells out, with proceeds funding the groups’ expenses like food preparation. Surplus funds support next year’s festival. The event concludes Saturday with a showcase of Cuban traditions.
