International Fest- Performances
By Rahim Hamid
One of the three pillars of International Fest, the Performances, are always an extremely memorable event due to its showcase of diverse international talents from our student body. The roster this year included Battle of The Band Winner’s Minus Eleven, poetry recitation from Pakistan and Ukraine, a Paraguayan folk dance, Karl-Pop, a Ballroom Dance performance, and The Chinese Music Ensemble. There was a diversity in students drawing from traditions from their home cultures as well as bringing in modern influences and artforms to showcase for the audience present.
A lot of work went into the set-up of the stage at Kracum in coordination with the wonderful Kracum staff, and in setting up tech, rehearsals and reaching out to all the different organizations and students in order to figure out a way to accommodate the diverse needs of all of our performers. After a morning full of set-up and rehearsals, the performances went off without a hitch as performers went on and off and were cheered on by the audience for the entire hour that the event went on. The music had everyone in the audience and backstage either enraptured or bobbing along to the beat, the dances were technically impressive and well-choreographed and the showcase of poetry from across nationalities was a unique display of heritage that spoke to deeper emotions and tradition for the audience.
International Fest_ spring 2024_Original Image_m77744
ISL students, Ostap and Defne at International Fest
International Fest- Food
By Doug Thompson & Patrick Assali
Doug Thompson
For International Fest, I was part of the committee that focused on the food. We had food from many different countries, including Cameroon, Nepal, South Korea, Canada, and Ethiopia. The students representing each country made plans ahead of time to order the ingredients for their food items.
After the performances ended, everyone rushed to Weitz Commons to get some food. First, I got some injera and lentils from the Ethiopian station, then I went to the ASIA station for the Matcha. After sitting down to eat, I asked some other students what they enjoyed about the event and which foods they liked. I also tried some Cameroonian fried fish and Boba tea. Sadly, there were many more dishes that I didn’t get to try because there were so many people.
I had a lot of fun at International Fest and enjoyed seeing the cuisine from around the world.
Patrick Assali
International Fest was held on Sunday of midterm break this spring term. Many student clubs and organizations pitched in to provide food for the event. Individuals or groups of friends also cooked on their own and brought food or drinks from their particular country or region. Some of my favorite stations for food was the Cameroonian station, where students, Bennet and Precious, cooked their own grilled fish with a spicy sauce on the side. This station was so popular that it was eaten up after about 10 minutes. By the time I made it to that station, there were only a few pieces of meat left. Either way, it was probably my favorite there. Some of my other favorite stations were the Ethiopian food station and the Nepali food station. The food served at the Nepali station were momos (lamb dumplings) with a curry side sauce. I was lucky to get one of the last dumplings at this station. Overall, I would say the event was really successful. We prepared for it very well, the performances were great, and the food was very popular this year.