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Youth dance outfits were stolen at Ghana Pavilion days before the Folklorama, Winnipeg\u2019s largest-running multicultural event, seen on Aug. 1, 2026 (Sofia Frolova, CityNews)<\/p>\nSewing machines have been working for hours over the past couple days as volunteers scramble to restore the stolen outfits days before Winnipeg\u2019s largest-running multicultural event kicks off Sunday.<\/p>\n
After organizers packed away outfits for 75 youth for the closing event Wednesday night, the car where they were stored in was broken into and all the outfits were stolen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt very discouraged and sad at first,\u201d said Jaelynne Wormenor, chair of guest services, Ghana Pavilion. \u201cA bad situation, but it became so hopeful, positive energy, lots of prayers and hope people have given to us and we can feel it here now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following a call for help on social media Thursday, organizers say other pavilions and Winnipeggers donated cash and fabric, while other community members showed up with their sewing talents.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople started coming in as early as 11 O\u2019clock yesterday and we stayed here until 11:30 p.m. until they kicked us out, but we had people who were willing to stay longer,\u201d say Wormenor.<\/p>\n
Youth dance outfits were stolen at Ghana Pavilion days before the Folklorama, Winnipeg\u2019s largest-running multicultural event, seen on Aug. 1, 2026 (Sofia Frolova, CityNews)<\/p>\n
Jesse Krikorian, a recent immigrant, was one of those volunteers who stepped up.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou move to Winnipeg and people talk about crime here,\u201d says Krikorian. \u201cIt\u2019s really unfortunate that this stuff got stolen, but the people in Winnipeg can more than make up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a post on Facebook, organizers said, \u201cFollowing the theft of all youth cultural dance attire from the Ghana Pavilion, our community has come together in a truly beautiful way. We can\u2019t thank you enough for showing up through donations, volunteer hours and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maggie Yeboah, entertainment and state coordinator for Ghana Pavilion, says she was initially skeptical whether people would come to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were so surprised,\u201d Yeboah said. \u201cYesterday, I was almost in tears, when i walked in here. This room was packed.\u201d<\/p>\n
As of Saturday afternoon, the coordinators were hopeful that the costumes will be restored.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are almost back on track,\u201d Yeboah said. \u201cBy the time they are done sewing today, we should be able to bring our performance just as planned.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Folklorama festival is set to begin Sunday and will feature ethno-cultural programming around the city until Aug. 15.<\/p>\n
Since its first run in 1970, Folklorama has grown from representing 21 ethno-cultural communities to with 45 different pavilions for its in its 55th edition reflecting the growing diversity of the city.<\/p>\n
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