Dutchboy - Folklorama, Winnipeg- JournalHome.com

Every year in August, the various international clubs of Winnipeg come together to organize the two-week Folklorama festival. As in most other big cities in countries like the USA, Australia and Canada, the first thing new immigrants do is flock together with other immigrants from their own country of origin. I keep telling myself that if I ever emigrate to the New World, I will not join such a club, but looking at things like Folklorama this seems somehow inescapable.

***

The variety of nations represented in the festival was quite impressive, though, although the festival was split into two weeks, with half the pavillions open the first week, half the second. I of course only got to Winnipeg in time for week two. Because Marilyn and I found many other things to do as well, we only managed to visit one pavillion: that of her home country, Germany. From pictures I had seen on local TV I had planned to go to the Nicaraguan and the Brazilian pavillions, as well as the Caribbean one, but we didn't get around to it. One weird detail was the fact, that there had always been a Dutch pavillion, and this year, with me visiting, for the first time my country was absent.

***
Around 6PM we were picked up by Marilyn's mom, who had equally looked forward to meeting me as Marilyn herself it seemed. I don't know how I do it, but I seem to leave a very good impression on North American mothers. Someone from California once wanted, almost insisted, that I'd meet her daughter Saskia who studied at Berkeley at the time, someone else from Alberta, Canada, had me meet her -gorgeous- daughter in Amsterdam, and now Marilyn's mom...
***
The German pavillion was situated in a non-descript building in a non-descript part of Winnipeg. It was popular enough, however, that we had to park at least a quarter of a mile away. Outside, just beyond the admission stand there was a big white tent where a band was playing Southern German beerdrinking standards. Beer was also served, as well as bratwurst, but coupons were required for everything. A bit annoying. Marilyn had herself a bratwurst, and I had her mom get me a beer.
***
After awhile we went inside for the show. The theme was Northern Germany this year, so the show depicted Northern German customs. I allowed Marilyn's mom to buy me dinner, a sample of Northern German cuisine, and then the show got underway. I'm never to impressed when they show children dancing, esp. not if they're wearing folkloristic outfits, but I could resist shouting boo at them, and even clapped. The 'highlight' of the show was a dance around a maypole, a custom we in Holland used to share. I don't know what it's all about though, so you better surf to Wikipedia.
***
After the show, we headed downtown, with Marilyn almost crashing into a cyclist trying to jump a red light. The guy was visibly upset, but more than giving her the evil eye wasn't to be expected of him. In a very touristic neighborhood of the city we had some Italian ice-cream, before going the Marilyn's mother's apartment. There I had a chance to use the internet and to email home.