My new home city: Winnipeg, Canada.

Winnipeg is my new home city.  

It is not a very big city, but not small either. Lots of people don’t like Winnipeg. Some of them moved out with the first opportunity, but some of them continue to live here and complain. I don’t blame them. Unfortunately, Winnipeg is not a city where you want to spend your vacation time, and I wouldn’t put it on “my destination list.” But personally, I like Winnipeg. This city accepted me as an immigrant. I have a good job and am still in my art world, I have the ability to travel and explore other countries and Winnipeg became my home that I am always will be grateful for it.  

And Winnipeg could be fun too. 

Here are my highlights: 

Nature

Winnipeg is the geographic center of Canada and the capital of Manitoba province.  

Winnipeg is the sunniest city in Canada. We have 317 sunshine days per year. It helps a lot, especially during the long winter. Sunshine always keeps my mood positive. 

The story of Winnie the Pooh  linked to Winnipeg. Winnie or Winnie the bear or Winnie the Pooh was a black bear, rescued by cavalry veterinarian Harry Colebourn and named “Winnipeg” (short ”Winnie”) after his home city of Winnipeg in 1920. Winnie became an inspiring character for writer A. Milne, who later wrote a series of books about the character Winnie-the-Pooh.

We have a very long white winter. Admitted… It is very long… too long… but for me, winter is wonderful and can bring a unique experience. Of course, when it is -45 C it is not fun at all, but when  –20 C, no wind and snowfall … this has become magic. I love snowflakes. I always feel like I’m in a fairy tale when snowfalls. So peaceful and beautiful. In addition, we have heated bus stops, and it is very helpful on cold days. Busses are usually not late; streets are cleaned and everything continues working like a clock. No complaints. 

In the winter we have plenty of opportunities to stay active and enjoy great outdoor activities: skating rings, tobogganing, cross-country ski trails. During the winter when the Red and Assiniboine Rivers freeze, the Manitoba 150 River Trail opens to the public: people can skate on the river trail, play hockey, or just walk there and have fun. The perfect time to spend a sunny day on the trail with magical snow-capped trees around. It is like a Winter Wonderland. 

Summer is hot and very green, and we have even more outdoor activities. During the summer people typically go to the parks, lakes, beaches, fishing, kayaking, riding bicycles and horses, golfing … just name it… we have almost everything. 

Winnipeg has lots of fascinating parks. The city’s largest park and my favorite city park is Assiniboine Park. It houses the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. I love to spend time there. It is green, beautiful and very enjoyable. 

In the city we have lots of biking trails, and it is not only fun but also very convenient. Most people go to work on bicycles instead of driving cars or taking a bus. Green, healthy and convenient opportunities. 

My favorite season is fall. Everything becomes colorful, picturesque and gorgeous. In the fall, my preferred park is FortWhyte Alive. This is a large park and recreation facility and is open all year round. The park has hiking, walking and cycling trails. You can canoe on the lake, arrange fishing, watch birds and there are lots of programs for children. There are infinite opportunities to discover and connect with nature. 

Multicultural city. 

Winnipeg is a multicultural and multilingual city with around 100 languages and lots of immigrants, who is coming here to start a new life. 99% of people speak English, but it is also fun to hear different languages. At my work we had a very international team and, in the morning, there was “Good morning!” on many languages. And I love to learn about different cultures, traditions, food and stories. I believe that this unites people. 

We have lots of festivals. The largest winter festival is French Festival du Voyageur. In August, we host Folklorama, which is the largest and longest-running cultural celebration festival. Winnipeg hosts many annual festivals, including the Jazz Festival, Folk Festival, Fringe Theater Festival and the Winnipeg International Writers Festival. 

Cultural city 

Winnipeg is a very cultural city. In 2010 the city was named the Cultural Capital of Canada by the Canadian Heritage. 

The Forks is historically part of Winnipeg and is located at the confluence of the Red River and the Assiniboine River. It is home to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, and the Manitoba Children’s Museum. It also features skate plaza, The Manitoba 150 River Trail in the winter, skateboarding place, bike trails and lots of various activities. It is open all year around, and you can have indoor or outdoor fun, enjoy food in the cafés or just rest on the bench with river views. 

The Museum for Human Rights at the Forks is the only Canadian national museum for human rights. Designed by an American architect Antoine Predock. It is absolutely extraordinary and attractive building. Predock has described the building as “carved into the earth and dissolving into the sky.” 

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is the oldest public art gallery and the sixth-largest in the country. We have lots of exhibitions there, which I try not to miss. One of my favorite events is the Annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. It is a big celebration of creativity in communications and is always a fun event. 

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is the largest and oldest professional musical ensemble in Winnipeg. They present around 80 concerts per year performing classical music. Additionally, WSO provides orchestral accompaniment to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Manitoba Opera. 

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is Canada’s oldest ballet company in North America. Incredibly amazing prima ballerina Evelyn Hart danced in the RWB. She is the first Canadian ballerina who wins a gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria. The RWB also runs a full-time classical dance school. This prestigious school is a significant fund for the ballet company. 

Manitoba Opera is a full-time professional opera company. They opened the 43rd season this year. Every season Manitoba Opera performs delightful and famous operas.  

The Manitoba Museum, the province’s largest museum and center for heritage and science learning. Visitors can learn there about Manitoba’s history. Also, the museum has a Planetarium and Science Gallery exhibits. 

The Winnipeg Film Group has produced many award-winning films, TV shows, and has hosted lots of Hollywood productions: Shall We Dance?, Capote, Heaven Is for Real, New in Town, K-19: The Widowmaker, Goon , and many more.   

Sport

Winter sports in Canada are very popular, and Winnipeg is a sport city.  

Winnipeg is home to several professional sports teams, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Canadian football), the Winnipeg Jets (ice hockey), Manitoba Moose (ice hockey), Valour FC (soccer), and the Winnipeg Goldeyes (baseball).  

Ice hockey considered to be the most favorite sport in Canada.  Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and the Manitoba Moose (AHL) are incredibly popular and have lots of fans.  

Winnipeg has hosted hockey championships 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship and the 2007 Women’s World Hockey Championship. 

Another extremely popular sport in Winnipeg is football. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian Football League Team and the current Grey Cup champions. They won the Grey Cup championship eleven times.  

Valour Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer club that plays in The Canadian Premier League. This is a very young club. They opened their first season in 2019. It was the first season in the club’s history, and first season in Canadian Premier League history. 

The Winnipeg Goldeyes is a professional baseball team that plays in the American Baseball League. They have won the Championships four times and are a very popular team as well.  

Winnipeg was the first Canadian city to host the Pan American Games, and held the event twice, in 1967 and again in 1999. The Pan Am Pool hosts aquatic events, including diving, speed swimming, synchronized swimming, and water polo for the Pan Am Games. Winnipeg co-hosted the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

I hope now Winnipeg doesn’t look too bad.  

My conclusion is very simple: boring people will always be bored no matter where they go. Positive people with an open mind and heart will always enjoy life because the options are endless no matter where you are.  

Don’t miss life! Enjoy! 

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