Representatives from all the "villages" in the 44th Carrousel of the Nations pose with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre, June 4, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Representatives from all the "villages" in the 44th Carrousel of the Nations pose with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre, June 4, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

An in-person Carrousel of the Nations returns to Windsor-Essex

The organization that handles an annual celebration of Windsor-Essex's diversity has officially kicked off the first in-person edition in three years.

The 47th edition of Carrousel of the Nations kicked off on Friday after the last two years went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Carrousel is put on by the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC).

"From its beginnings, Carrousel was about travel and movement, about visiting new places and people. We want the community to discover Carrousel, to be a part of all that our cultural organizations have to offer," said MCC Executive Director Fred Francis.

During a media event at Devonshire Mall, the 16 participating nations and cultures were showcased, along with performances by the Filipino Salinlahi Dance Group and the Slovak Domovina Dancers.

"Our hope is that visitors discover as many new traditions and immerse themselves in as many new cultures as possible," said MCC President and Carrousel co-chairperson Allison Johnson. "The celebrations that we have come to love and anticipate will be on full display for those who are ready to travel the world without leaving the region."

The Carrousel had shifted to an online format in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. Some villages along the Carrousel offered takeout options for food and drink. The theme for the 2022 in-person event is “Discover Carrousel”.

This year’s villages will take place in Windsor, Essex, and Leamington, with most of them in the City of Windsor. The Windsor villages include African, Bavarian, Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, German, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Scottish, Serbian Gracanica, Via Italia, and Mexican.

Leamington will host German and Lebanese villages and in Colchester, a Polish village.

The Carrousel will run for two straight weekends, June 17, 18, and 19; and June 24, 25, and 26. Each village has its hours, schedule of events, and menus.

For complete information about the Carrousel, visit its official website.

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