The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

Festival of Nations a success

The weather was hot, the air was thick and the smell of empanadas, kebabs and baklava encompassed the entire area of Tower Grove Park in South St. Louis. The Festival of Nations, an event that the Riverfront Times deemed the best festival of 2006, came back for its eighth year in St. Louis on Aug. 25 and 26, celebrating diversity and working to unite various ethnic groups across the world.

Sponsered by the International Institute, the Festival of Nations has always been a prominent event in the St. Louis community. According to the Riverfront Times, the 2006 festival attracted over 60,000 attendees before the multicultural weekend came to a close. This year’s gathering was no different, as cars lined both Grand Boulevard and Magnolia Street surrounding Tower Grove. Only the dedicated festival-goers survived, as, even in the waning hours on the last day of the festival, one had to trek for a good 15 minutes before reaching the mecca of all that was handmade and tasty.

The Asian Indian table sold saris. The Filipino, Mexican and Bolivian tables sold jewelry and accessories. The West African table sold wooden animal carvings and just about every nationality, one could think of was well represented. Visitors could walk away with souvenirs from their favorite countries without even leaving the metropolitan area.

The food and souvenirs were not the only things the festival had going for it though-the performances drew large crowds as well. Dancers, drummers and top spinners were among some of the hundreds of acts constantly going on throughout the festival. There was a new performance to see at every turn, and with so many nationalities represented, one could stay the entire weekend without seeing the same performance twice.

Even the visitors themselves took part in the celebration of diversity, as numerous festival patrons walked around the park donned in their authentic, native clothing. Countless faces were painted with symbols of various countries, as well as traditional tribal designs. Walking through the park was like walking through a history book, if a history book could move, tell you a story with actions and emotions and was three-dimensional. The festival served as a walking history lesson, a life-size message for equality with Ghanaians talking to Guatemalans, Afghans talking to Iranians, and uncountable other groups coming together for a two day weekend of acceptance, education and ethnic delicacies.

Story continues below advertisement
Leave a Comment
Donate to The University News
$1410
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Saint Louis University. Your contribution will help us cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The University News
$1410
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The University News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *