The annual International Street Fair was celebrated Uptown on Saturday.
Cultures of the world lined Court and Union Street Saturday as students represented 113 countries and participated in the International Street Fair.
Marking the near end of International Week, the annual street fair offered food, performances and activities to attendees from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the annual flag parade, Ohio University students marched their flags down Court Street to the beat of African drumming, convening at the performance stage on West Union Street.
“It was a really cool feeling to see a lot of people representing a lot of countries,” Miguel Gomez, vice president of International Student Union, said.
Speakers addressed the crowd and promoted connection between domestic and international students. Among them, OU President Roderick McDavis spoke about the necessity for unity in the "Bobcat family.”
“At the end of this International Week, let us commit. Let us reunite,” McDavis said. “Let us talk about what happens when the world comes together. Let us focus on being one, not divided. That’s who we are. We are one.”
Cheyanne Weaver of the Japanese Student Association said the sentiment expressed in the speeches was correct.
“I think when everyone says ‘one nation, one family,’ that’s really true. ... I don’t think that diversity is necessarily something that domestic students realize every day when it comes to international students, but definitely our presence is here,” Weaver, a senior studying communication sciences and disorders, said. “This is a chance for the domestic students and international students to interact, learn about each other, have fun, visit … little parts of culture from all around the world all in one place.”
Student organizations under the umbrella of International Student Union joined with representatives at tables such as the Peace Corps, United Campus Ministry and OU’s Office of Global Opportunities.
Students in the Japanese Student Association wore happi, a traditional Japanese coat often worn at festivals. The organization taught people how to write their names in katakana, the Japanese alphabet used to translate foreign or borrowed words.
The Muslim Students Association table held informational pamphlets on the Islamic faith, addressing topics like women in Islam, the hijab and peace. Next to the table, a tent held traditional Arabic floor seating. Bowls of fruit and a traditional silver coffee pot sat on a table at the center of several floor pillows. Arabic coffee, tea, dates and cookies were served.
Gomez, a senior studying physics, said the event allowed people to get to know a culture through cuisine.
Performances occurred on stage throughout the day. African drumming and Moroccan belly dancing were among the acts that entertained the crowd.
Cat Cutcher, assistant director for Global Studies, said the unity created during International Week is even more important given the “climate on campus now.”
“There was concern about people not being very welcoming to international students, especially Hispanic and Latino students on campus,” Cutcher said. “This kind of festival is an antidote to that kind of mentality.”
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Cutcher said all students are at OU to learn and have a right to receive an education.
“I think this is a great opportunity for us to come together. I always encourage students to take advantage of, you know, international events like this,” Cutcher said. “It’s an opportunity to learn and to get to know friends from around the world.”
@graceoliviahill
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