Each year, DU celebrates CultureFest, a tradition of over 35 years that embraces the diversity of the DU community.
Throughout the week of April 8, several events and keynotes were held leading up to the Internationalization Summit, an all-day annual event where scholars and community members can “engage in meaningful conversation, connect, share practices, and present emerging research relating to the internationalization of higher education,” according to the Office of Internationalization homepage. The week concluded with the post-summit CultureFest.
On the evening of Friday, April 12, in the Gottesfeld and Gold Rooms of the Ritchie Center, CultureFest kicked off with amazing instrumental and dance performances, aromatic cuisine, colorful attire and lively music from cultures around the world.
The walls were decorated with vibrant flags from different countries, the booths included artifacts showcasing each culture’s unique history and diverse languages were spoken throughout the night as both DU students and members from the Denver area came together on campus to celebrate and enjoy.
Attendees were given tickets to experience the different cultures at interactive booths. The event embraced more than just nationality, as a variety of student groups and organizations celebrated religion and sexual orientation and identification as well.
Numerous booths were hosted throughout CultureFest. The Pacific Islander Alliance handed out samples of “musubi”—a popular snack composed of grilled pork atop a block of rice wrapped in seaweed—to immerse visitors in a taste of their culture. The Asian Student Alliance served shrimp chips and invited visitors to practice their calligraphy. Hillel, the center of Jewish life at DU, offered “challah,” a braided bread that symbolizes different parts of the world coming together. The Native Student Alliance focused on promoting awareness of Native issues and inclusivity as well as informing visitors of their annual Pow Wow coming up on Sunday, May 19—an event open to the public that introduces and further celebrates Native American culture and traditions.
Many other student organizations were present as well to educate, share and enjoy honoring their cultures, such as the Queer Student Alliance and the Latinx Student Alliance.
“It’s really fascinating that DU held an event for people from a variety of cultures to come together and share their cultures with each other and to learn from one another,” said DU sophomore Erica Candelario, an attendant at the event.
Along with the cultural displays, CultureFest also provided students with opportunities to experience other cultures firsthand, such as through the GlobalRes living community program, which gives second-year students the chance to house with international students.
CultureFest concluded with a collective cheer from students as the event allowed them to embrace the many aspects of cultural excellence and inclusivity at DU. Each year DU students, clubs and members of the community may contact the Office of Internationalization to reserve booth and performance spots, as well as to volunteer at CultureFest.
