WIC Winter Languages Carnaval: French & Spanish Culture Comes Alive

A vibrant, community-driven celebration of French and Spanish language learning in Calgary

On March 17, WIC came alive with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavours of French and Spanish-speaking cultures during our Winter Languages Carnival and Evening Winter Family French Carnaval. These joyful events brought together students, families, and staff to celebrate WIC’s dynamic French and Spanish language learning programs and cultural traditions in a fun, engaging, and immersive way.

Junior High Students Explore French & Spanish Cultures

During the afternoon, WIC’s Junior High language students had the opportunity to experience the richness of Francophone and Spanish-speaking cultures beyond the classroom through food, music, dance and hands-on activities.

French as a Second Language & French Immersion students:

• Experienced a classic Canadian winter tradition with tire d’érable (maple taffy on snow)
• Took part in outdoor activities on our new athletic field
• Created balloon art and decorated flag cookies to celebrate Francophone heritage
• Played card games with local Francophone community members
• Prepared and tasted a Moroccan orange dessert, discovering flavours from the French-speaking world
• Capped off the day with an interactive Folklofolie performance, clapping, singing, and dancing along

Spanish as a Second Language students:

• Enjoyed a lively Spanish-language performance
• Cooked and tasted arepas and plantains, learning about Latin American cuisine
• Painted cat alebrijes, colourful folk art sculptures from Mexico
• Learned flamenco and salsa dance moves
• Sampled delicious empanadas

These activities reflected WIC’s commitment to providing immersive language learning opportunities that foster curiosity, creativity, and cultural understanding.

An Evening of Community & Culture

On Monday evening, the celebration continued as WIC welcomed current, new, and prospective families for the Evening Winter Family French Carnaval. It was a festive event filled with culture, connection and community. Families gathered to celebrate the richness of Francophone culture and experience firsthand the welcoming, vibrant environment of WIC’s French language programs.

The highlight of the evening was the high-energy performance by Folklofolie, which had guests of all ages clapping, singing, and dancing together. The ever-popular tire d’érable station was also a crowd favourite, with parents and children alike lining up for a sweet taste of this beloved French-Canadian tradition.

Beyond the fun and festivities, the event reflected WIC’s commitment to creating immersive, joyful learning experiences that bring people together. It was an evening filled with laughter, learning, and a strong sense of belonging—showcasing how language learning at WIC is about more than just words; it’s about building community and celebrating culture.

Celebrating Language, Learning & Community

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Winter Languages Carnaval and Evening French Carnaval a success—our dedicated faculty, student leaders, and families who joined in the celebration. These events reflect what makes the WIC community unique: a shared commitment to celebrating culture, fostering meaningful connections, and providing students with rich, experiential learning opportunities.

To learn more about WIC’s French Immersion, Junior High Second Language Learning, and the vibrant cultural experiences offered at our Calgary private school, explore our website or connect with our Admissions Team.

À la prochaine ! ¡Hasta la próxima!

Contributor

Rachel Kruchten
Dean of French Immersion & International Studies