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Ethnic Arts Festival '99 : A symbol of diversity and unity

Date 3/4/1999 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

The Ethnic Arts Festival is "a way for all of us to share in each other's lives and realize the amazing bonds we form, cherishing all our varied cultures and backgrounds," said Jason Carvalho ('00), co-chair of the festival.

The Luther student body unites to celebrate different ethnicities and cultures in the Ethnic Arts Festival, March 4-6.

The emblem of the festival was created by the co-chair Sangyel Sherpa ('01).

"Basically I tried to show people holding hands with different cultures and countries showing connections by symbolizing diversity and unity," Sherpa said.

The festival kicks off tonight, Thursday, March 4, with Promo Night in the Caf. Various ethnic music will be played and coming attractions will be highlighted.

Friday, March 5, there will be ethnic chapel at 10 a.m. in the CFL. That evening a performance will be given by "Project Wildfire" at 7:30 p.m. in Storre Theatre. A reception will follow in Farwell Lounge at 9 p.m. "Project Wildfire" is a group of college students from different cultures who use the performing arts to spread messages on racial unity, equality between the sexes and materialism.

"Project Wildfire" is a feature that separates the 1999 Ethnic Arts Festival from previous years.

"It is so moving I can't express it in words. It touches every one of the senses and engulfs you. You learn lessons about what is going on in society and how we need to make changes," said Karrie Fredrickson, Sartell, Minn., high school teacher.

The young men and women of "Project Wildfire" are a part of the Twin Cities Bahai Youth Workshop. Central to the Bahai faith is a oneness of humankind, a harmony of science and religion, equality of genders and elimination of prejudice.

"Project Wildfire" is sponsored by Women's History Month as well as the Ethnic Arts Committees.

The main festivities will take place Saturday, March 6, with display tables and an international bazaar. Pastor Michael Blair and Richard Simon Hanson, professor of religion, will tell folk stories in the CFL. The Ethnic Dance Workshop will include the Merenga dance from the Dominican Republic.

Ethnic cuisine will be served in Marty's from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tickets will be $1 for students with a board plan and $5 for those without.

The Ethnic Arts Festival will conclude with an entertainment show from 7:30-9:30 p.m. with masters of ceremonies Dimple Kapor ('99), Fred Agyepong-Yeboah ('01) and Sande Chiwese ('02). The show will feature skits and dances as well as a fashion show.

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Joy Unger
Chips Staff Writer

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