Centennial Square in Victoria transformed into a vibrant global stage on May 31 and June 1, as the 8th annual Folktoria festival unfolded, showcasing the diverse cultural tapestry of the city.
The festival brought communities together to share their traditions through music, dance and artistry.
Kerry Patriarche, president of the Greater Victoria Folk Festival Society, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the "amazing cultural richness" present in Victoria.
"We have a wonderful representation from all kinds of places in the world," she said.
Saturday's lineup featured a captivating array of performances, including a Polish folk group, a Ukrainian choir, a Chinese lion dance, African musicians and dancers representing India, Norway and Peru.
The energy was palpable as each group shared their unique cultural heritage with the enthusiastic crowd.
Sunday continued the celebration with a series of musical sets from a French guitarist, a Gaelic choir, Canadian folk singers, and a Balkan music ensemble. A Brazilian band brought the festivities to a high-energy close.
Dancers representing the Philippines, India, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, China and Spain also graced the stage.
Folktoria drew a steady stream of attendees who filled the amphitheatre, eager to experience the vibrant cultural exchange.
Patriarche emphasized Folktoria's mission to foster understanding and appreciation between cultures.
"There are people in the world who don't want us to enjoy other cultures, who don’t value other cultures," she noted.
"We want to just truly share that we love the differences and we love the underlying connectedness. Everybody is different, and everybody's hearts are in the same place, so this is an opportunity to share that."
She further highlighted the importance of Folktoria in preserving cultural heritage, noting how it provides a platform for traditions to be passed down from one generation to another and from those generations to the wider community.
"Folktoria is an expression of Victoria's real acceptance and love of our cultural richness," she added.
Despite the festival's success in bringing the community together for a free celebration of culture, the Greater Victoria Folk Festival Society says the event is not without costs.
Patriarche revealed that it costs between $10,000 and $15,000 to put on a two-day festival like Folktoria.
To ensure the future of the festival, the society plans to launch crowdfunding initiatives to raise funds for next year's event.
"Funding is complicated for every nonprofit," Patriarche said, "but it's impossible to say that this is not a valuable event. So, we are hoping that the community will help us."
Greater Victoria Folk Festival Society hopes that continued support will allow them to continue bringing the world to Victoria for years to come.
