Ayekan Folklore Group was founded on the 19th September 2008. The name Ayekan means 'Forever Smiling' in the Mapuche language.
Our members all share a Latin American heritage from countries like Chile and Colombia but we welcome people from all parts of the world who would like to share and learn about the Latin American tradition and culture. Our performances include dances from both Chile and Latin America, specially our own dance CUECA.
We hope to provide an opportunity for Latin American families to maintain their culture through a variety of activities. Whilst also maintaining a relationship with the wider community by teaching the many aspects of the Latin American culture.
Since September 2008, we have performed in a variety of settings including workshops for children and adults with disabilities organized by Yooralla Recreation Services ,nursing homes , church’s communities, school’s and Latin America Organizations. With the collaboration of other Latin American artists we have organized and performed in different fundraising events.
In the last two years we have had the opportunity to perform in a variety festivals like Knox City Festival, Frankston Festival, Ventana Latina, and also celebrate the Light in Winter Festival and Bicentenary celebrations in Melbourne performed at Federation Square.
We were invited by the Chilean Community in Sydney to celebrate their Bicentenary celebrations, which was a great opportunity to share our own traditions and in a way to represent our Chilean Community in Melbourne
Also we were invited to perform at our own Chilean Latin American Festival at Sundown Racecourse.
Since the beginning we have concentrated mostly in dances from central part of Chile, showing the traditions and culture of our own Chilean Huasos, with their costumes.
Currently we are working with our teacher and choreographer Hernan Morales in a new choreography to celebrate our third anniversary in August and futures presentation specially the Chilean National Day in September.

Ayekan Folklore Group Inc
Raul Perez
Public Officer