Cultural traditions shine through dance at LaSalle Folk Festival

May Be Interested In:The Brutalist and Conclave among winners at this year’s Bafta film awards


Article content

A vibrant display of dance and culture filled the Saint Nicholas Macedonian banquet centre in LaSalle on Saturday, as the second annual Folk Festival drew a large crowd to celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of Windsor and Essex County.

Dancers in vibrant traditional costumes showcased cultures from around the world, performing everything from Irish step dance to an African Kizomba flash mob.

Article content

Serenada, a Macedonian singing band, is shown performing during Saturday’s St. Nicholas Macedonian Folk Festival in LaSalle. Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star

“It’s a very happy, very festive event,” said St. Nicholas Macedonian Orthodox Church president Vera Najdovska. “It allows us to promote, not just our culture, but everybody’s culture.

“It’s a way for us to get to know each other better too and that is important. All of these groups represent Windsor-Essex and we’re all united in this event together.”

folk
Young dancers with the Gerdan Jr Macedonian Folklore group are shown performing during the St. Nicholas Macedonian Folk Festival in LaSalle on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star

From traditional Macedonian cuisine to dynamic dance performances, Saturday afternoon offered a feast for the senses, capped off by music from the Serenada Macedonian singing group.

The Folk Festival was organized by members of Saint Nicholas’s Gerdan Macedonian Folklore Ensemble.

Najdovska said the group formed in 2023 for Windsor-Essex’s Carrousel of the Nations multicultural festival. The ensemble, which started out with 14 adult dancers and 10 children, has now grown to include 40 dancers. 

folk
Dancers with the Gerdan Macedonian Folklore group perform during Saturday’s St. Nicholas Macedonian Folk Festival in LaSalle. Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star

The festival, she added, helps raise funds for the group’s costumes and travel expenses for conventions across Canada and the United States.

“It’s such a pleasure to see all the groups,” Najdovska said. “It’s nice to enjoy the music and the dancing, but most of all, the people.”

This year’s festival showcased dance groups from Detroit, Mississauga, and Toronto.

[email protected]

folk
A dancer with the Gerdan Macedonian Folklore Ensemble is shown performing during the St. Nicholas Macedonian Folk Festival in LaSalle on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star

Share this article in your social network

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Barbara Lewis
Understanding the Role of Digital Solutions in Singapore’s Construction Sector – Chart Attack
How the World Is Reacting to Shinzo Abe’s Death
How the World Is Reacting to Shinzo Abe’s Death
Page not found | The Standard
Page not found | The Standard
With Aid Cutoff, Trump Severs a Lifeline for Millions
With Aid Cutoff, Trump Severs a Lifeline for Millions
H4 housing hub police investigation
Windsor Police investigate in the 400 block of Wyandotte Street East
Pesto recalled in Canada because of undeclared nuts and milk
Pesto recalled in Canada because of undeclared nuts and milk
From the Ground Up: Authentic News as It Happens | © 2025 | Daily News