Preserving & Sharing With Arms Wide Open

Featured, Headlines, Member

Whether you’re paying for a trip to Chile or watching a colourful performance from Chile Lucha y Canta Inc. (CLC), a local folklore group, you’ll be welcomed into Chilean culture with open arms.

CLC has been entertaining audiences since 1976. The group was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Chilean refugees with the goal of preserving the rich Chilean history, folklore, and culture. Today, CLC is comprised of both adults and children, and a live orchestra, which uses many of the traditional Chilean folk instruments.

“Our group has been able to promote and maintain Chilean culture and folklore through dance and song throughout the generations,” states Patricia Miller, President of CLC.

Chile Lucha y Canta joined the Folklorama family as a member to connect with a larger network of people who wanted to do the same thing they did – preserve and share culture.

“We love showing the diverse culture Chile has to offer. The culture of Chile is so diverse because of it’s geography. From North to South it extends to over 4000 km. This contributes the a wide range of climates, geographies and culture,” states Miller. “Since colonial times, the Chilean culture has been a mix of Spanish colonial elements with elements of indigenous, mostly Mapuche, culture, as well as that of other immigrant cultures.”

This past summer, CLC participated in Folklorama Fusion, a three-day virtual event that showcased cultures from different continents each night. The performances were streamed live on YouTube and Facebook, free of charge, from the Burton Cummings Theatre.

“It was exciting to get together again and rehearse and perform for everyone live YouTube.  This event re-energized our group and gave us the boost we needed to get together as a group after the long isolation of Covid.  We hope to keep that going this Spring and Summer.”

If you would like to become a member of the Folklorama family, contact Katie Green at [email protected].