Diverse views educate
Beth Warren
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Culture
|
The free family festival celebrated the cultural diversity of the Chattanooga region through music and dance performances, educational displays, interactive booths, kids' activities, art and food.
Samantha Greco, a Harrison, Tenn., senior, said the festival was an educational tool as well as an enjoyable afternoon.
"Attending the festival is not only a fun way to socialize with friends, but it also leaves you with a better understanding and awareness of cultural diversity," Greco said. "It was an opportunity to learn to appreciate our uniqueness and commonalities as Americans."
Participants were able to visit booths from merchants, artists and cultural organizations. International games, dance instruction, martial arts demonstrations and authentic clothing were just a few of the activities in the Hands on the World tent, and the Artquest tent offered free activities for children.
Storytellers narrated tales from around the globe and vendors offered selections from a variety of ethnic foods, featuring Thai, Indian, Cajun and Cuban.
For the first time this year, market-goers sampled "flavors of the world" from local restaurants along with watching chefs demonstrate how to prepare some of these ethnic dishes.
Susan Robinson, Arts and Education Council Executive Director, said, "By partnering with the Chattanooga Market, Culture Fest has the opportunity to grow and reach new audiences."
Culture Fest booths offered everything from fair-trade handbags to imported Peruvian art, allowing visitors to support local businesses and the global market.
Local cultural and service organizations such as the Chattanooga Chinese Association, India Association and Bridge Refugee Services displayed information and offered hands-on activities at their booths.
Rajul Soni, president of the local India Association, said: "Culture Fest brings glimpses of the whole world to Chattanooga. It provides a framework for locals to interact with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds through a perfect combination of entertainment and education."
