Western Carolina University students and the surrounding community will get an opportunity to experience culture from across the globe on Tuesday, April 10, at WCU’s 22nd Annual International Festival.
The event, designed to give the campus and area residents exposure to some of the heritage of WCU’s international students, is open to the public free of charge. It will take place from 10am until 4pm on the lawn of the A.K. Hinds University Center.
The celebration will include transcontinental cuisine, entertainment, contests and information booths. Western’s international students will display clothing, arts, crafts and other items to represent their home countries.
The festivities will kick off with a colorful parade of flags through the campus Monday, April 9, beginning at the Alumni Tower at 4:30pm.
On Tuesday, local, regional and international artists will perform throughout the day. A 10am opening ceremony will be followed by the Latin American sounds of Con Clave at 10:30am. Highland Pipe and Drums will present traditional Scottish music at 11:45am. L’Chaim, a Jewish singing group composed of WCU faculty, will perform at 12pm, followed by an additional appearance by Con Clave.
Afternoon events include Nepalese music ensemble Shrigara Nepal Trio at 1:30pm; a Native American dance presentation at 2pm; WCU’s Gamelan Orchestra at 2:30pm; and an awards presentation at 3pm.
The day’s events also include a Hmong artist, fashion show, Terry Gess from Penland School of Pottery and prizes given to festival visitors who fill out international questionnaires.
For more information, contact Richard Cameron in WCU’s Office of Student Affairs at (828) 227-7234.
