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Students perform at International Fair 2016

Food, Dance, and Community: International Fair 2016

Students perform at International Fair 2016

International students make up nearly 12 percent of the Knox College student body.

Angela mcNeal performs during International Fair 2016

I love being able to share in my peers' cultural experiences and learn more about who they are. — Angela McNeal

By Bailey Musselman '18

Alma Marin '17 was bursting with energy at this year's International Fair. She performed with Lo Nuestro, an organization that promotes awareness of the Latino community. After dances representing various Latin American countries, the performers invited the audience to join in dancing the Macarena.

"I love how our dancing can bring people together, like how we did at the end of I-Fair with the Macarena," said Marin. "Everyone got together despite the fact that we are not all the same culture; it unites people when we share our cultures with one another."

International Fair, now in its 35th year, gives students three different ways to share their cultures with the Knox and Galesburg communities: educational exhibits; a flag parade and cultural showcase; and a food fair.

At the educational exhibit for Mexico, students displayed information about famous Mexicans, a food map, and important Mexican landmarks. They also gave out rebanaditas (watermelon lollipops with chile centers) and played loteria (Mexican bingo). "I love going to see all the different cultures and the diversity we have here at Knox" said Karatina Ignacek '18 after visiting some of the booths during the fair.

There were a variety of performances during the cultural showcase, from a choral group singing "Tong Yi Shou Ge" a Chinese folk song, to a Vietnamese Straw Hat Dance.

Angela McNeal '16 performed a dance during the cultural showcase to Nina Simone's cover of "Strange Fruit Dance," a piece representative of African-American culture. "I-Fair has always been one of my favorite events" said McNeal, "I just love seeing the celebration of culture and I love being able to share in my peers' cultural experiences and learn more about who they are."

  • Food Fair at International Fair 2016
  • An educational booth at International Fair 2016
  • Students perform at International Fair 2016
  • Flag Parade International Fair 2016
  • A student waits for the Parade of Flags at International Fair 2016

The line for the food fair was long, but many students as well as members of the Galesburg community agreed that it was worth the wait.

Donna Boguslavsky '17 has been involved with International Fair for the past two years. "I love cooking for I-fair, it's always a good time," she said. "I encourage everyone to become a part of I-fair because it's so much more of an experience once you are a part of it. It makes me really grateful to be in this community."

Boguslavsky was accompanied by her mother and stepfather this year, who were excited to eat the food provided at the El Salvador table, which she helped make. "It's just so amazing that there are people from all over the world here. I never had that at my school," said Anne Boguslavsky about joining her daughter at the cultural showcase.

Greta Berger '18 expressed nothing but gratitude after two plates of patatas a la riojana from Spain. "International Fair is so unique to Knox and it's a really nice way to represent what we are as a community."

Published on February 16, 2016