As part of the Folklorama Scavenger Hunt, a church with a close Romainian community is being highlighted.

St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church is a location on Folklorma's Scavenger Hunt, but for one woman, the building is more than a photo opportunity.

Isabela Giubega grew up in two different church communities, her mom's Chilean church one week, and her dad's Romanian the other.

"My mom is from Chile and my dad is from Romania. They were both born in their respective countries and as everyone knows Winnipeg is a melting pot, and they actually met here."

Now as an adult, she is acknowledging the importance of her church communities and the role it plays in preserving not only Christianity but also culture.

"The church is where the community holds a lot of their social events, as well as church," she says. "I would say that (church) is quite important to many in the Romanian community."

She adds that on major Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas, the pews to the church fill up quickly.

The St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church, which was purchased by the small Romanian community in Winnipeg, has been used for worship and community activities for many decades. The church was the first host of Folklorama in the 1970s, well before Giubega was born. While she may not have been around during the early days, Giubega is making sure her church is part of the Folklorama community even when the pavilions are not happening. 

"When my brother and I were young, the pavilion restarted and we thought this was a great way to reconnect with our dad (and) learn a little bit more about his culture.

Giubega has been dancing since she was three years old and used dance to connect her to the community. Now, Giubega teaches dance in the basement of St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church.

For Giubega, the church's basement is an important community spot. It is where she and her community can dance and embrace their Romanian roots in a welcoming environment.

"It just makes me proud of being half Romanian."

Giubega hopes locals visiting St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church for Folklrmama's Scavenger Hunt will see the beauty of the building, noting that the Furby Street church is a heritage building.