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Forty tables representing more than 50 countries demonstrated clothing, food and culture to WVU and the Morgantown community at the 22nd annual International Festival Monday.
Students from local elementary, middle and high schools were invited to participate in the festival, which is part of WVU’s Diversity Week, and learn about other cultures.
"The whole purpose is that ... elementary and middle school kids often don’t get to see kids from other countries," said Karen Bird, international student adviser for the Office of International Students & Scholars.
Children were given passports with questions in them and went around to the different tables to gather answers, sample food, look at clothing and get their passports stamped.
"We have like 750 kids from different schools," said Eileen Huang, president of the International Student Organization. "A lot of students don’t know other cultures."
Common ways the international students showcased their culture were through food, dress, song and dance, and pictures.
Students from Nepal performed three Nepalese songs and two traditional dances and sold momo, a traditional dumpling in Nepal.
Sudiksha Joshi, from the Nepalese Student Association, said students were very enthusiastic about their display and performances.
"We’re not talking about the history because it’s boring. We’re talking about modern Saudi Arabia," said Abdulaziz AL Mutawa, of the Saudi Student Association.
He said they asked some students walking through the tables to wear the traditional Saudi dress, and they were hesitant at first, but interaction with the people of WVU is the best way to demonstrate their culture, he said.
The Saudi Student Association displayed traditional food and offered information about Saudi Arabia, oil production, how to reduce oil production and its culture.
Indonesian students put together a booth to display things like traditional shadow puppets, fabric called batik and masks, as well as information boards and pictures.
Their main goal, however, was to raise awareness and funds for earthquake victims in Indonesia, said Liana Rahmawati, an Indonesian student.
Students from Germany displayed traditional holiday decorations, brought books and dictionaries for students to look up words and gave out traditional German candies. Some wore traditional German dress and took pictures with students.
"We try to make it more visual than theoretical," said Angela Reh, a student from Germany.
Nasim Raeisi from the Iranian Student Association said they brought many different books, artifacts and decorations, as well as samples of traditional food from Iran in order to showcase their culture.
"(Students) were really interested. Because there are so many misconceptions, it’s always good to explain" Raeisi said.
Students from the Egyptian Student Association displayed posters of timelines in Egyptian history, gave out postcards, displayed papyrus paper and the Egyptian flag, played videos of Egyptian history and sold sweets such as baklava.
Ahmed Hahmoud, a member of the ESA said most students still picture Egypt like it was in ancient times with pharaohs and pyramids.
They were shocked to hear the modern country now has skyscrapers, he said.
He added that students were amazed at the 4,000-year history of Egypt, asking questions about its beginnings, papyrus paper, paintings and more.
The Brazilian Student Association used their table to bring awareness to
Brazil and talk about the devastation of the Amazon rain forest.
They also served their national soda pop, which comes from a fruit grown in the Amazon, and explained why the forest should not be destroyed.
"They were very responsive when I was giving a lecture of the Amazon and what we can do," said Gabriel Brito Amorim, president of BSA.
In addition to the tables, international students put on performances throughout the day.
Different performances included an Iranian sitar playing, Tae Kwon Do demonstration, Spanish song and dance, Saudi Arabian songs and drums, Napelese singing and dancing, Chinese dancing, Iranian dancing, Kazakhstan dancing, Malaysian singing and a fashion show.
"It’s also an opportunity for the students themselves to get to know each other. They see what each other has to offer," Bird said.
"It’s very important. WVU is such a diverse community, and this just demonstrates the diversity we have here,"
Originally, the International Festival started as a two-day event in which there was a Market Day and Festival," said Liz Finklea, community outreach coordinator for OISS.
Once it became a part of Diversity Week, officials combined the two days into one and began inviting local students to participate in the events as well.
"I think it’s very important for the student body to realize there are other places in the world, and there are people in their midst from those countries," Finklea said.
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