The International House is abuzz with activity all in preparation for one of most exciting events of the year. The up-coming WPI Cultural Festival, scheduled for Saturday, 4 April, from noon to 4pm will be bigger and brighter than ever. All sorts of things are being planned from athletic demonstrations to zingy dancing! It is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to come and see what is happening around the world, all here at our WPI campus!
The stalwart nationalities participating in the Cultural Festival are planning exhibitions and displays that will captivate the mind and delight the tongue and other senses as well. The Indians are planning "mandi" demonstrations where the art of hand painting is explored. The Koreans will demonstate Tae-Kwon-Do exercises. Bengalis, Greeks, Indians, Vietnamese and others will present traditional dancing. There will be songs of all sorts and dishes for all persuasions. The Malaysians and Indonesians students can do magic with hot and spicy food. The Germans will weigh in with their excellent breads and sausages. And without the Italians, what would western food be like? Tickets will sell for fifty cents and may be redeemed for food. Buy lots and eat well.
Multi-cultural clubs on WPI campus will also participate. The Arab Club, the Black Student Union, the Muslim Student Association and the Chinese Student Association will all take part with their usual aplomb, flair and style. The Global Ambassadors, a group to support international students regarding overseas project centers, will be on hand to propagate information to students who might be interested in studying abroad as part of their IQP.
In general, a day to appeal to the senses is being planned. Tom Thomsen and Janice Martin are working very diligently with the International Student Council (ISC) to promote the values of multi-culturalism and internationalism. For the residents of Worcester and surrounding areas, the Cultural Festival is a chance to see what the rest of the world can do with food, dance, art, organization and order, all for a minimum of cost. Families can bring their children and introduce them other aspects of this great, big and often wonderful world we live in.
If other student nationalities want to present elements of their native cultures in the Festival, then they should contact ISC president Sashe Kanapathi