On Saturday, Bemidji State University will hold its 50th Festival of Nations celebration. The event is hosted by the university's International Student Organization.
According to a statement, the festival “celebrates unity, understanding and friendship” between different cultures. Visitors can experience cultural performances, people dressing in traditional clothes from all over the world, and tasting different international foods.
Attendees can also interact with booths that explore cultural activities and traditions while meeting students from diverse backgrounds.
BSU and Northwestern Technical College President John Hoffman sees this event as an opportunity for the university to advance its priority of mutual understanding.
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“This focus of ours connects with international students as well as American Indian students in the district and all students,” Hoffman said. “It is of course a sharing of the cuisine, the performances and the information, but it is also a deeper sharing about culture, cultural awareness and interacting with each other mutually.”
This is the first time this event has been held since the pandemic stopped it. It is the longest running multicultural festival in BSU's history.
“I know people often think of northern Minnesota, and when they think internationally, they probably think of connecting with Canada. But you know, here in Bemidji, the city is home to the language villages of Concordia and the state of Bemidji,” Hoffman said. “For 50 years, we have been hosting this Festival of Nations. It is an opportunity to celebrate our international students, to connect with them and to learn from each other. And doing it here in the north.”
The celebration is free and open to the public. It runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on campus in the Fine Arts Hall.
