The festive sights and sounds of International Week will kick off today as a parade of students march down 13th Avenue.
Approximately 30 members of the International Student Association will be dressed in traditional clothing from their native countries. The promenade will end in the EMU Amphitheater, where the opening ceremony and activities will commence. The events begin every day at noon and end by 5 p.m.
International Week, ISA’s largest event will include a multitude of events showcasing different people and areas of the world. The purpose of the celebration is to create awareness for American and international students of the different cultures on campus.
The events this week are a $20,000 project that ISA members have devoted countless hours and volunteer time to preparing.
The opening ceremony will feature short addresses by two world diplomats and the director of the Office of International Education and Exchange, Tom Mills. The consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yunxiang, along with the vice consulate general from the Italian Council, Carlo Manocci, will be speaking.
The three leaders will be signing a map, which ties into the theme of both International Week and the grand finale of the week, International Night. ISA co-director Alberto Albuquerque said the map signing is a pledge to be aware of internationalism.
Co-director of International Week Joyce Mmari said the significance of the theme, “Pangea: When The Continents Were One,” comes from the geographical view when the continents of the world were a single land mass surrounded by ocean before they divided. She said the cultural week communicates how students will be one together again.
By putting on this celebration, the ISA has created a major international event for the University. Mills said he hopes from this event, students will gain a “greater recognition of diversity on our campus and how this reflects diversity in this world.”
Each day will focus on a different part of the world. There will be a panel each day titled “What’s unique about your country.” Co-director of International Week and member of the European Student Association Amanda Burr said different student representatives from various regions of each country will be talking about what is unique about their country, in the recently reopened International Student Lounge, located above the post office in the EMU.
“Students will be able to ask the people on the panel what they like about their country,” Burr said.
The first day of International Week is dedicated to Africa.
Included in Africa day, history professor Laura Fair will be presenting a film produced and directed by Amadou Seck called “Saaraba.” Rita Honka, a dance instructor at the University will be teaching students African dances for a $2 entrance fee.
“What is really interesting in my view, for example, in Africa, is that so many people consider Africa just a country. They don’t understand that there are so many different cultures within Africa,” ISA communications coordinator Monica Price said.
Tuesday will feature food sampling of dishes such as edamame or fried noodles, a panel discussion and an Asian exhibition for Asia and Oceania.
Price said ISA expects this year’s festivities to exceed those last year because there are more events and organizations involved.
The Americas will be the spotlight for Wednesday. One of the highlights of the day is a presentation on the “Women in Latin America” by Stephanie Wood, the chairwoman of the Friendship Foundation and professor of Latin American Studies.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance will offer a showing on cultural perspectives to homosexuality and geography professor Ron Wixman will be opening the LGBTA presentation “Queer Perspectives/Lives on Campus.”
Also on Wednesday, the Latino café will offer participants dancing and loud music.
Slam poet Staceyann Chin from the Women’s Center will close the evening with a performance in The Buzz.
Thursday’s Europe and Middle East day will open with belly dancing and more food sampling of cuisine from Romania. Later in the day, Wixman will present “Ethnicity, Morality and Western Politics in the War in Yugoslavia.” Slide shows for Thursday will focus on Albania, Romania and Kazakstan.
Friday will include an interactive World Game workshop and the International Coffee Hour.
Two movies will be shown every day during International Week ranging from documentaries to comedies. The OIEE will also make available information about studying abroad and tips on living in a different country throughout the week.
If outside weather conditions for the week are not endurable, the activities will be moved indoors.
The climax of International Week will take place on Sunday, April 16 in the EMU Ball Room with the 37th Annual International Night.
“What is so cool about International Week is that it is an opportunity for anybody to do anything they want to do,” Price said.
International Week is a free event open to the entire University.
“We are working to accommodate the desires of all students and certainly want to encourage everyone to participate,” Burr said.
More information on International Week and International Night are available on posted schedules and through the ISA office at 346-4387.