Folklorama awards $2160 to youth ethno-cultural programing initiatives

Folklorama is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its Cultural Preservation Fund Awards. 

Launched in 2020, the Folklorama Cultural Preservation Fund Award (CPFA) program, an endowment held by the Winnipeg Foundation, provides Folklorama members with an opportunity to access funds to help grow youth initiatives for projects that celebrate, educate, promote, and preserve culture. 

This year’s recipients include Ghana Union of Manitoba Inc., KEFI Manitoba Inc., Magdaragat Philippines Inc., Romanian Society of Manitoba Inc., and the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association.

“We are deeply grateful for this support,” said Dorina Bularca, Advisor of the Secretarial Committee for the Romanian Society of Manitoba. “Through Folklorama’s Cultural Preservation Fund Awards, the Romanian Society of Manitoba can guide children and youth in learning authentic Romanian recipes and the cultural stories behind them.” 

The grant helps support the Romanian Society of Manitoba provide traditional Romanian cooking lessons to children and teens of all abilities. These classes focus on the education of cultural dishes, stories, and language. Bularca explained that the support from their CPFA award will help to strengthen cultural pride in the community, making it possible to pass traditional foods on to the next generation.

Magdaragat Philippines Inc. will be putting their award towards funding youth theatre programming, specifically their Children’s Theatre Company (CTC). Funded in 1983, CTC brings together youth aged 5-11 to teach cultural stories, creative movement, and folk dance at the beginner level. 

Goldie Garcia serves as the Production Chair for Magdaragat Philippenes Inc. “I am honored that we have been chosen as one of the recipients of the 2026 Cultural Preservation Fund Award!” 

The funds will be used to help supply CTC with new costumes and props to support a growing membership base she explained. “This fund will help our young children ages 5-11 continue to learn about their Philippine culture and tradition through song, dance, language, theatre, and workshops that we can provide for them. They in turn will be able to share their culture with others and be proud of who they are!” 

KEFI Manitoba Inc. aims to use their funds to support the professional development of youth instructors. By sending emerging leaders to the Klironomia Hellenic Folklore workshop in Toronto, KEFI is investing in the quality of its youth dance program and in the next generation of leaders. The workshop provides intensive, hands-on training in Greek dance, music, and customs with the goal of deepening participants’ understanding of Greek cultural heritage. 

“Thank you for helping us preserve, celebrate, and pass on these vibrant cultural traditions,” said Athena Dinos, Administrator at KEFI Manitoba. “KEFI Manitoba is incredibly grateful for this generous support, which will directly invest in the growth of our next generation of Greek dance instructors.” 

To contribute to Folklorama’s Cultural Preservation Fund and keep ethno-cultural arts alive for future generations, please visit https://folklorama.ca/get-involved/donate/. 

Applications for the 2027 Cultural Preservation Fund Awards open in fall 2026.