Bridging cultures and celebrating unity, International Festival returns to Miller Auditorium
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's International Festival returns to campus on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Miller Auditorium. This free event welcomes students, staff, faculty and the community to celebrate diverse cultures and traditions showcased by student performances.
Organized by Western's Haenicke Institute for Global Education, the festival is a longstanding tradition, bringing together members of the campus and greater Kalamazoo community to experience the rich cultural diversity represented at WMU.
"The emphasis of this year's event is bridging cultures and celebrating unity," says Deniss Nkya, global learning specialist at the Haenicke Institute. "It's never been a better time to celebrate the diversity of our students while recognizing what we all have in common."
The festival features a variety of performances by students involved in international Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), giving them a platform to share their cultural heritage through dance, music and other artistic expressions. Every year, RSOs compete to be named top group by a panel of judges. Last year's competition was intense, with the following RSOs winning top honors:
- 1st place: Indian Student Association
- 2nd place: Bangladesh Student Association
- 3rd place: Japan Club
This year's competition is expected to be equally exciting, with a diverse lineup of performances that highlight the talent and creativity of WMU’s global student body.
"We are happy to be returning to Miller Auditorium after our first successful run there last year. Students are excited to perform on its world class stage, and Miller has been an excellent partner in planning and execution" says Anezka Viskova-Robertson, assistant manager of global learning.
The festival is an important event that showcases the University’s commitment to global engagement and cultural exchange, providing a unique opportunity for students to come together and share their traditions with a broad audience.
With live performances and cultural displays, the event promises to be an exciting and enriching experience for all who attend. Learn more on the event's webpage.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.