EJ JACOBS
Staff Writer
Leaving the comfort of home to attend college is a scary step for many new students. For some, the experience marks the first time they have been put in a community full of diversity — an unfamiliar space with different cultures, ethnicities and religions.
For the past ten years, SUNY Fredonia’s Intercultural Center has brought together cultures and religions from all over the campus community. This year, on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Williams Center Multi-Purpose Room, they will be hosting the event once again.
Culture Fest has games, activities and performances, as well as different kinds of food ranging from all around the world.
“Culture Fest is a celebration of culture with all the 15 intercultural groups. It’s an opportunity for the groups to share similarities and celebrate their differences,” said David White, director of multicultural support services.
The Intercultural Center is made up of 15 student groups, such as the African Student Union, Black Student Union, EnFusion, Latinos Unidos and Hillel. The rest of the groups can be found on the Intercultural Center’s page on the SUNY Fredonia website.
Culture Fest was first formed through a campus celebration of Christmas. Every year, Fredonia’s hosts Hanging of the Greens, a Christmas event. While celebrating the event, students started wondering why other religious holidays have not traditionally received the same recognition.
The students thought: “What about Hanukkah?” “What about Kwanzaa?” “What about all the other holidays students celebrate during a specific time of year?”
Although it is exciting to see Christmas trees and fluorescent lights at the end of each year, the students thought it would be amazing to see other cultures and religions on campus represented and celebrated. As a result, Culture Fest was officially born on Dec. 8, 2012.
The event embraces diversity, while educating the community on different cultures. The festival was founded on the basis that everyone deserves to have representation and the ability to show off their traditions, backgrounds and heritage. The Intercultural Center is looking forward to seeing everyone come together for the event.
“It’s a cultural festival as the name would imply,” White said. “It’s about embracing and celebrating the diverse talents and cultures of Fredonia’s campus and surrounding communities.”
White said he has high hopes for this year’s event.
“I hope it sheds some light on the importance of celebrating different cultures, traditions and beliefs,” White said.