I was fortunate to be able to attend Winnipeg’s recent Folkorama, which is an annual event whose tagline is: celebrating diversity. Around the city, schools, community centers, churches, buildings, offices, gyms and more are set up for a specific region of the world, whereby the locals from Winnipeg who has some affiliation to that country, participate.
I was surprised by the diversity of Winnipeg and how large of a cultural representation they had at the event. That said, the Scots came early to Winnipeg and so, there are more Scots than probably any other culture residing in Winnipeg today although I don’t have the exact numbers. (this was hearsay from many locals I talked to).
It certainly appeared as if the Scots were in full swing from attending their very lively event, which of course, was filled with the sounds of bagpipes. Given that I have some Scottish heritage, how could I not visit the Scottish pavilion.
From colorful uniforms and all the right accents, to Scottish food, bagpipes, dancing and more, I was taken back to Scotland again and again.
The nice thing about the event that they not only included samplings of food from each country but music, culture, books, materials, style, and of course, activities and traditions. Their booths and tables in the cultural display area had a number of Scottish clans, materials, books, tartan swatches and more, all to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Selkirk Settlers in Manitoba.
Below, take a look at tartan being woven on a traditional loom.
The Manitoba Tartan is registered in Scotland as the official tartan of the Province. The design was approved by the legislative Assembly of Manitoba and the feeling is that the tartan belongs to all Manitobans, regardless of racial extraction. Hugh Kirkwood Rankine was the designer of the tartan and he apparently studied the clan’s history during the Second World War.
The dancers were so vivacious and while I love bagpipes (even had a bagpipe player at my wedding), the dancers are what had me at hello. On the main stage, The Ena Sutton Highland Dancers performed and they had the 402 Squadron pipes and drums band as well as The Flying Haggis Show Band. (yes, that’s really their name). The City of Winnipeg Police Pipe Band also performed as well as the Manitoba Highland Dancers Association and storyteller Brad Woods shared from his world.
They had a sing-along which was most amusing (and a whole lotta fun). Here’s a few for the taking:
I Love a Lassie:
I love a lassie, a bonnie, bonnie lassie.
She’s as pure as the lily in the dell
She’s as sweet as the heather
The bonnie purple heather
Mary, ma Scotch bluebell
This one was hilarious:
Just a Wee Deoch an Doris:
Just a wee deoch an doris (translation – drink), just a wee drap, that’s a’
Just a wee doech an doris, before we gang awa’
There’s a wee wifie waitin’ in a wee but an ben;
If you can say, “It’s a braw bricht moonlicht nicht”
Yer a’richt, ye ken.
And then there’s this one:
Stop Yer Ticklin’ Jock:
Will ye stop yer ticklin’ Jock, will ye stop yer ticklin’ Jock.
Dinna’ make me laugh sae hearty, or ye’ll mak me choke.
Oh, I wish ye’d stop yer nonsense, just look at a’ the folk.
Will ye stop yer ticklin’, tick-a-lick-aa-lick-a-lin’, stop yer ticklin’ Jock.
Take a look at the vivacious photos from their performance below.
As for dinner? You can bet that Haggis was on the menu, as was bridies, Scotch pies, a half Scotch egg, turnips and peas, mince, neeps, tatties, scones, mashed potatoes and a sausage roll. For beer, they had imported beer (Lia Fail Dark, Innis & Gunn), Premium Scotch and Rusty Nail & Hairy Haggis.
Below is the colorful and musical talent of the people who performed:
Disclosure: Tourism Winnipeg hosted me for this fun event, but all opinions expressed are my own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
