International Folk Fair returns to Davies
Allison Proite
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: News
Many students may never have the chance to try authentic African food or learn how to Irish dance. However, UW-Eau Claire students and community members have the opportunity to learn about many different cultures and taste many types of food at the International Folk Fair.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, UW-Eau Claire and the Center for International Education are hosting the fair, where more than 40 countries will be represented. It includes all different types of music, food, history, dance and art displays that represent each country involved. Student organizations, international students and community members participate and help turn the campus into a cultural fair.
Students not only have the opportunity to learn about the food, the history and the music of multiple cultures, but they can also learn how to play different sports in certain countries. New to the fair this year is the game of cricket and Swedish lawn games.
"The International Folk Fair offers the opportunity for students to learn about other cultures, whether it's represented by the international students on campus or student organizations," said Krista Brown, student advisor for the Center for International Education. "It's also a great way to learn about how students can get involved with organizations which are on and off campus that have an international focus."
Retired faculty member Orville Bierman coordinates activities for the International Folk Fair and thinks that the fair is a great way to get Eau Claire students and International students together.
"One of the important aspects of this event is that it allows foreign students a chance to display some aspects of their own culture to local people and it also allows for interaction of those students with those people who come to the event," Bierman said.
Many international students participate in the International Folk Fair to teach Eau Claire students about their own culture.
Samson Gimui, an international student from Uganda, thinks the Folk Fair is a great opportunity for students and community members to learn about many different cultures. "It helps promote international understanding locally and in the Chippewa Valley at large," he said. Gimui is the president of the African Students Association and is coordinating the African exhibit at the fair.
Not only are students welcome at the fair, but community members have the chance to explore different cultures as well.
"The International Folk Fair brings the community together in celebration of culture," Brown said.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, UW-Eau Claire and the Center for International Education are hosting the fair, where more than 40 countries will be represented. It includes all different types of music, food, history, dance and art displays that represent each country involved. Student organizations, international students and community members participate and help turn the campus into a cultural fair.
Students not only have the opportunity to learn about the food, the history and the music of multiple cultures, but they can also learn how to play different sports in certain countries. New to the fair this year is the game of cricket and Swedish lawn games.
"The International Folk Fair offers the opportunity for students to learn about other cultures, whether it's represented by the international students on campus or student organizations," said Krista Brown, student advisor for the Center for International Education. "It's also a great way to learn about how students can get involved with organizations which are on and off campus that have an international focus."
Retired faculty member Orville Bierman coordinates activities for the International Folk Fair and thinks that the fair is a great way to get Eau Claire students and International students together.
"One of the important aspects of this event is that it allows foreign students a chance to display some aspects of their own culture to local people and it also allows for interaction of those students with those people who come to the event," Bierman said.
Many international students participate in the International Folk Fair to teach Eau Claire students about their own culture.
Samson Gimui, an international student from Uganda, thinks the Folk Fair is a great opportunity for students and community members to learn about many different cultures. "It helps promote international understanding locally and in the Chippewa Valley at large," he said. Gimui is the president of the African Students Association and is coordinating the African exhibit at the fair.
Not only are students welcome at the fair, but community members have the chance to explore different cultures as well.
"The International Folk Fair brings the community together in celebration of culture," Brown said.
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