Introducing our 2024 Ambassadors’ General!

Last year was full of laughs, learning, and our wonderful 2023 Ambassadors’ General. As their term has come to an end Folklorama would like to extend a final thank you to Lovepreet Singh Virdi, 2023 Adult Ambassador General, Samantha Luczenczyn-Lane, 2023 Adult Ambassador General, Jessica Deminco, 2023 Youth Ambassador General, and Julia Amato, 2023 Youth Ambassador General. Each of you are outstanding individuals who truly represents everything Folklorama stands for.

With the start of a new year is the start of Folklorama’s 2024 Ambassadors’ General term! We are so excited to formally introduce them.

FROM LEFT:

Dailia Martin, 2024 Youth Ambassador General

Judy Gravito-Forbes, 2024 Adult Ambassador General

Carson Mellon, 2024 Adult Ambassador General

Tanvir Kanwal, 2024 Youth Ambassador General

Dailia Martin is a St. Mary’s student who has been dancing for over a decade with the Anansi School of Performing Arts, Nafro Dance Studios, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Her journey with Folklorama started when she was a baby! She began wiping tables as soon as she was old enough to reach them and shortly after began dancing in shows at the African/Caribbean Pavilion. Her family has both been Pavilion Coordinators and Volunteers for decades – her parents even met during Folklorama!

“Folklorama enhances my understanding of how important it is for teens to have an interest in celebrating their diversity and promoting cultural understanding,” says Dailia. “Folklorama is a family tradition we have cherished for over 30 years.”

Judy Gravito-Forbes is a first-generation Canadian, who grew up in a traditional Portuguese family. Currently, she is a school counselor for the Seven Oaks School Division and a happy mother of 2. Growing up, Judy has always been close to her Portuguese roots. She began dancing at the Caso do Minho Portuguese Pavilion at age 9 and now has been teaching dance to other children for the past 10 years.

“Teaching the little ones is my way of giving back to my community and keeping those values and traditions alive,” says Judy. “Folklorama is a time of celebration and education as we share our passion and love for our cultures with the larger community.”

Carson Mellon is another long-time member of the Folklorama Family. His parents originally met at the Israel Pavilion – Shalom Square and and he’s been involved ever since! For as long as he can remember Carson has spent one week of Folklorama with his family, volunteering and the other week was spent exploring other Pavilions. Carson has been a leader in his community to inspire other youth to become more involved with their own culture.

“To me, sharing my culture means firstly being proud of who I am. Backgrounds do not define us but can serve as a foundation for the people we become,” says Carson. “ Israeli culture should be expressed as something friendly. Sharing my culture with others is great although mutual learning is better.”

Tanvir Kanwal’s family has been involved with Folklorama since she was a little kid, however, her own personal journey began in 2022 when she volunteered with the Punjab Pavilion for the first time. Since then, she has truly stepped up and become an integral member of the community. becoming a Punjab Pavilion Youth Ambassador in 2023, and now acting as 2024 Youth AG and Co-Chair of the Folklorama Youth Council she has modeled how to lead with educating other on important aspects of her own culture.

“Sharing my culture means educating people and providing them with the knowledge that allows for them to make connections back to their own heritage.” says Tanvir. “It means creating a level of understanding and relatability.”

Folklorama is thrilled to welcome our 2024 Ambassadors’ General. Each of these individuals has been a leader in their community for many years and continues to be a model of what sharing culture means today. Congratulations to all of our 2024 Ambassadors’ General.