Wartburg College’s annual Culture Week returns March 17-23, providing a window into the worlds of the 128 international students on campus from 48 countries.
The Culture Fair — with its international booths and food — and the Culture Week Performances variety show will bookend the week of celebration.
“Culture Week showcases the many talents of Wartburg’s international students and shares this global energy with the campus and area community,” said Jenna Rinehart, director of international student services. “The Culture Week events are a great reminder to all of us about the vibrant global scene right here on our campus.”
The Culture Fair kicks off the celebration Sunday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Knights Ballroom in Saemann Student Center. A donation of $3 per person is suggested.
“We set up different country booths in the ballrooms and serve an international meal, and then people can just walk around and talk to the people representing their countries,” said Lungelo Seyama, a sophomore from Swaziland.
Culture Night Performances will feature 16 diverse acts during a 90-minute show in Neumann Auditorium, Saturday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. A donation of $3 per person is suggested.
“Attendees can expect to see an international fashion show and a number of energetic dance performances from areas of the world such as Japan, India, Zimbabwe, and Latin America, just to name a few,” Rinehart said. “One of last year’s favorite acts that will be returning to the stage is ‘Gumboots,’ which is a rhythmic dance inspired by the way South African miners communicated with each other during apartheid.”
Seyama, a member of the Culture Week committee who will be performing in “Gumboots,” also highlighted a short play performed by members of the African Congress and instrumental performances from Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Costa Rica.
An original song written about international student experiences at Wartburg College will be added to this year’s show.
Seyama said the celebration allows international students to teach others about their ways of life.
“We all come from very different places, so Culture Week is the one time where we can really show people where we come from as well as talk to them about our countries,” Seyama said.
Rinehart said the week’s other events include “a mix of educational and entertaining programming” such as the Model United Nations, interfaith events, film showings and panel discussions on global issues.
“We have tried to keep the structure of Culture Week the same, while making it as diverse as possible this time around,” Seyama said. “We have also tried to encourage American students to be a part of some of the performances for our main culture show.”
Both Seyama and Rinehart believe Wartburg benefits greatly from the diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives of its international student body.
“I feel it helps people learn more about the diversity we have here at Wartburg,” Seyama said. “It is a great way for American and international students to interact with each other.”
“Over the years, Culture Week has grown to become a visible focal point for international students to celebrate their own cultures while enriching ours,” Rinehart said. “It reminds us what an asset a vibrant international student program is to our campus and community.”
The following is the Culture Week schedule:
Sunday, March 17
- Celtic Worship, Wartburg Chapel,10:30 a.m.
- Culture Fair, $3 per person suggested donation at the door, ballrooms, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Monday, March 18
- Interfaith Dinner, Chapel Commons, 6-7 p.m.
- “LGBT Issues Around the World,” panel discussion, LH 330, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19
- “Lunch and Learn”, Pakistan Country Presentation by Rafia Unar, Heritage Ballroom, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Model United Nations, Science 102, 4-8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20
- Cultural scavenger hunt, Student Center, 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, March 21
- Model United Nations, Science 102, 4-9 p.m.
Saturday, March 23
- Culture Night Performances, Neumann Auditorium, $3 per person suggested donation at the door, 7:30-9 p.m.