Watch the preview video of the virtual International Festival of Cultures.
A collaborative effort of Ferris State University’s Office of International Education, the College of Arts and Science’s Humanities department, and the Artworks and Tuba Bach programs in Big Rapids will take the 32nd annual International Festival of Cultures into the virtual realm on Saturday, April 18.
A goal of this year’s festival is to celebrate togetherness, in light of the societal changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Special consideration is being given to medical professionals, essential workers, the families of those professionals and all others involved in overcoming this challenging time.
Organizers from Ferris’ Office of International Education said that setting up a free Twitch account will allow participants to chat with festival hosts, but that anyone can log in and view the festival. The International Festival of Cultures is open to all Ferris students, faculty and staff, along with alumni, families and the greater university community.
The consortium presenting the festival have invited musicians, comedians, chefs, singers and dancers to participate, which will include:
- listening to the sound of a Rabab, or lute-style instrument as you virtually traverse the skyline of Lahore, Pakistan;
- learning how to prepare a delicious Vietnamese dish; and
- or watching twins offer a delightful presentation from their Palestinian home.
For more information about the International Festival of Cultures, contact Lisa vonReichbauer, assistant director of the Office of International Education, by email or (231) 287-7483.