Languages and Cultures

West Chester University

Dr. Jerome Williams
109 Main Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2700
Fax: 610-436-3048
Jerome Williams


International Festival: October 3-6 2011

It’s all about celebrating diversity and learning different cultures
2011 theme:
Fostering global awareness through cross-cultural understanding

The 2011 International Festival, Fostering Global Awareness through Cross-Cultural Understanding (Oct. 3rd –Oct 6th), will celebrate the fifth anniversary of West Chester University International Day. Established by WCU in cooperation with Mayor Richard Yoder in October 2006, the International Festival foregrounds the achievements of the various ethnicities of our multicultural society, as well as the urgent need for understanding and cooperation among the peoples of the world. To this end, a broad spectrum of events featuring music, dances, food, and presentations will highlight the contributions of Latin Americans, Russians, North Africa and Middle Easter countries among others. These events aim to provide activities and information that will foster understanding among various cultural groups while enhancing our appreciation of uniqueness and difference. (See this year's program flyer)

 

PROGRAM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011
9 am- 10:30 am: North African and Middle Eastern Drum and Dance Presentation
Venue: SYKES THEATER

Featured:

  • Shiraz : a full-time professional belly dance (Arabic - Raqs Sharqi) performer and instructor from Delaware with 7 years of experience in the art.
  • Jonathan Fell has been drumming for over a decade. He has performed with Middle Eastern musiciansincluding Sudanese folk artist, Mosno, DJ Kimo of Morocco, and Oscar Awardwinner/Grammy nominee, Yuval Ron. He is the founding member of the Egyptian music ensemble Insijam.
  • Tarif has been a student of Rqs Sharqi for the last five years and has had the privileged of learning from and performing alongside some of the best dancers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and D. C.

11:30 am: MARIACHI MENDOZA
Seranata: To WCU President and our 2012 IFEST sponsors
VENUE: QUAD

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011:
7:00 pm: Ensemble of Music and dance of Casa de Venezuela
VENUE: SYKES THEATHER

The Ensemble of Music of Casa de Venezuela (Los Chucusitos) is a group formed by members of Casa de Venezuela in love with the traditional tunes and rhythms of the Venezuelan Music. The ensemble seeks to promote and share this music in the region to create awareness and appreciation for cultural diversity.
Venezuelan Dances is formed by a group of people that love the traditional and folkloric dances of Venezuela. Its mission is to preserve and promote these dances in order to create understanding and tolerance of the multicultural values of Latin-America. For more information please go to www.casadevenezuela.net

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011:
1:00 to 3:00 pm: Ivan’s Westchesterrible Adventure
RUSSIAN MOVIE, VENUE: SYKES THEATER

Introduction : Dr. Alice Speh, Languages and Cultures
Discussion: Dr. Fred Patton, Languages and Cultures

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
11.00 am- 1.00 pm: FOOD FESTIVAL
VENUE: SYKES BALLROOMS A AND B

Taste typical dishes from Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Puerto Rico, China, Costa Rica, Nigeria and many other nations.

Sponsors for the WCU 2011 iFEST

  • Office of the Provost
  • Office of Development
  • Department of Languages and Cultures
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Undergraduate Studies
  • Social Equity

For more information, please contact Ana Sanchez (asanchez@wcupa.edu) in the Department of Languages and Cultures.