In an effort to spread the message of cultural diversity, the International Student Federation is hosting its international banquet this Saturday, Jan. 22 from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the St. Louis and Argentum rooms of the Busch Memorial Center.

With a theme of “Around the World,” the banquet will feature food and entertainment throughout the evening. Seven local restaurants, including Chinese Express, Vito’s and Rasoi, will cater the dinner, consisting of Italian, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Indian dishes.

Entertainment will be provided in the form of Japanese taiko drummers from Washington University and a Latin American music group called Acoustic Enternote.

Saint Louis University students will also partake in the festivities, including Latin American dancer Kristina Martinez, musician Ming-Lin Li playing a traditional Chinese instrument and Puja Natesan performing an Indian dance.

“Around the World” is ISF’s main event of the year, according to president Monica Parafiniuk. Its planning committees began their work in October 1999.

“It’s a way to celebrate our diversity-not only internationally, but also on campus,” Parafiniuk said. “Every individual is unique-that’s what creates diversity.”

Parafiniuk said that the main difference between this year’s event and previous years is the effort made in planning the banquet. “We’re more organized this year,” Parafiniuk said.

“We got more restaurants this year, and we also improved advertising the banquet, something we knew we wanted to do.”

With more than 300 people attending last year’s event, Parafiniuk said she expects the turnout to be about the same.

“We’d like to reach students and faculty, but it’s open to anyone,” she said.

ISF secretary Leila Somjee said, “It’s a good way to get to know your peers and to gain a perspective of other cultures. There’s good food and entertainment-and it’s a great way to meet people.”

After selling out of tickets for the event last year, Parafiniuk encouraged the SLU community to buy their tickets before Saturday night.

Tickets are $8, with proceeds going towards future ISF events. Tickets can be purchased in either the Office of Student Life, Busch Memorial Center room 301, or the ISF office, located in the BMC lower-level student organizations area.

Only 310 tickets for the event are available.