Last modified: Thursday, November 3, 2011
2011 World's Fare, a celebration of IU international students' cultures, will take place Nov. 16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 3, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Nearly 20 international student groups at Indiana University Bloomington will showcase their countries with an array of cultural displays, international food and traditional performances at the fifth annual IU World's Fare on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
The IU Office of International Services and IU Union Board again are partnering to coordinate the event in celebration of International Education Week (IEW). Doors will open to the public at 5 p.m. at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St.
Visitors will be greeted by the lively music of the Middle East and North Africa. Performing will be Salaam, a popular Bloomington-based group whose members have performed with international artists such as Grammy Award winner Youssou N'Dour, Real World recording artists The Master Musicians of Jajouka and Smithsonian recording artist Rahim AlHaj.
Billboard magazine called the group "enchanting," and its music has been featured on National Public Radio several times.
International student groups will be showing their creativity through cultural displays. Each booth will represent a different country, providing an opportunity for visitors to become familiar with a number of cultures while interacting with the international students. Performances by the student groups will add to the festivities.
Visitors will have an opportunity to sample and enjoy international food throughout the evening. All recipes for the food were submitted by the international students and prepared by IMU Dining Services staff.
"I have watched the IU World's Fare grow since it started five years ago, and it pleases me to see that the campus and Bloomington communities look forward to it and welcome the opportunity to learn more about the various countries represented at the event," said Sandy Britton, director of the Leo R. Dowling International Center.
Faculty, staff, students and members of the Bloomington community are welcome to join the festivities. There is no admission fee for IU students who show their university-issued identification card. Non-students can purchase a ticket at the door for $4. The ticket entitles the holder to sample eight different international dishes.
The event will end at 8 p.m. with awards given for first, second and third places to the best performances and cultural displays. The Office of International Services also will introduce winners of the International Student and Scholar Photo Contest.
To learn more about the International Education Week celebration worldwide, please visit www.iew.state.gov. To learn more about the IEW programs and activities at IU, please visit https://ois.indiana.edu/ic/iew/.
