Weeklong Festival of Cultures kicks off
After officially opening two weeks ago, the Multicultural Center hosted their first big event. This year, the Festival of Cultures is a week long instead of just one day.
Oct. 11 marked a busy and important day for CSB/SJU students for many reasons—it was the kick-off of the Festival of Cultures, National Coming Out Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The Festival of Cultures is an annual week-long celebration that features student-planned events, ending Oct. 16. Many events continue to take place, including a panel on Green Card Voices, a fashion show and performance during the Student Showcase and a Spanish Mass followed by traditional refreshments. A full list of events can be found under Multicultural Student Services on the CSB/SJU webpage. All events are open to students.
Many student clubs and organizations were involved in designing programming for the week.
“We wanted to make sure it was a campus-wide effort, which is why you’ll see events that aren’t even run by us,” said Sydney Robinson, the Multicultural Center’s diversity and inclusion program manager. “Culture is not just within our building; culture is everywhere.”
The Festival of Cultures was headed by students.
“Students took the lead. We did not make any decisions that our student employees did not agree with,” Robinson said. “They shaped while the professional staff handled the moving parts.”
The festivities began at the Multicultural Center with a barbeque, titled BBQUEER, to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Besides food, both the indoor and outdoor spaces were utilized for games, speeches and music. The event was open to all students.
“It was a celebration, specifically on National Coming Out Day, to represent everyone’s identities as well as acknowledging the challenge of coming out,” SJU sophomore Ryan Imm said.
The BBQUEER event was accompanied by a Pride March.
“The Pride March along with the BBQUEER gave us representation,” SJU first-year Devean “D” Statum said. “It gave a sign that we are represented on this campus, especially to those who haven’t come out yet or come to terms with their sexuality. It was awesome that we had the opportunity to be a part of the Festival of Cultures and show our representation on campus.”
With 100 people in attendance, the event exceeded its goal of 70 attendees.
On Friday, Oct. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m., a student showcase will also feature a dance performance from the Fuego Latino dance group.
They will be performing three partner dances—a cumbia, a merengue and a bachata—immediately after a fashion show in Stephen B. Humphrey Theater.
“The dancing in particular brings a taste of home back here,” CSB junior Brenda Rojas said. “Especially coming to a predominantly white institution makes it hard to meet with individuals who look like you and come from similar backgrounds. Having the opportunity to dance and showcase your art and culture through that manner helps revive our culture.”
The group has historically performed at the Festival of Cultures but had to take a break due to COVID.
“I participated in 2018 during my freshman year,” CSB senior Danice Martinez said. “It felt very warming to see other people who look like me participating in this big festival. It was great seeing other events on campus, too.”
Robinson said that the Festival of Cultures was brought back after “reshaping it in a way that addressed students’ concerns of being able to enjoy it if they were volunteering.”
The Festival of Cultures has continued to be an important part of representation on campus, especially during Family Weekend.
“Everything about your life is a culture, and it is important to not only see and celebrate other people but know how to actualize and celebrate your own culture as well,” Robinson said.