UAFS International Festival 2010 features 32 countries

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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For those who can’t afford to travel the world, tastes from around the world came to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on March 30 at the university’s Stubblefield Center.

Visitors had to pay a $2 admission fee and optional $1 for food tickets that could be used at participating booths to obtain a sample plate of food, most of which was provided by local restaurants.

The doors opened up around 5 p.m., and around 1,000 people attended the festival, up from last year’s attendance of more than 700. 

“The international festival is one way we can broaden international perspectives of our students and citizens in the community," said Takeo Suzuki, executive director of international relations at UAFS, adding that 32 countries were represented at the event.

Each country was represented by a cultural display which included artifacts, photos, brochures, clothing, native food and also traditional dress wear. The countries represented were Afghanistan, Algeria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Haiti, Hmong, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United States and Vietnam.

From Indian curry to the shepherd’s pie from England, everyone could find something that tickled their taste buds. Also available was the Afghanistan dish, Qabili Pilau prepared by the Silk Road. Qabili Pilau is a rice dish with carrots, raisins, and lamb.  The meat was tender and fresh and the dish was robust with flavor.

There was an international parade with each country or culture dressed in traditional costume and dancers and vocalists providing entertainment. The first 100 festival participants who completed their "passports" with stamps from all 32 destinations received a free t-shirt.

For about $5, depending on how hungry you were, you could pay admission, get food and a drink, and buy a chance to win a GPS plus get an international education and entertainment all in one night at one place. Monies raised from this event support the Maymester Program which provides international student scholarships to send U.S. students abroad to increase their opportunities.