By Meghan Kliewer
The International Festival, featuring students and their cultures from different countries, took place in the quad at Santa Ana College Nov. 4.
“It gives us the opportunity to share about our culture’s traditions, including dress, food and dance,” said Thy Nguyen, a SAC international student from Vietnam.
Students at the booths served cultural cuisine while displaying religious figurines, photos, jewelry and traditional dress.
Several booths displayed poster boards with facts about their country, including variations across different parts of their country.
“Marriage, language and dances differ most across the different parts of India,” SAC student Palak Gupta said.
People could get Henna tattoos at the Turkey booth and paper cranes at the Japan booth.
Olufemi Aruleba, a SAC student from Nigeria, appreciates the festival because it helps him share his culture with a bigger audience.
Student performances took place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., featuring people from Turkey and China performing songs on instruments, a song sung by a group from Vietnam, an Origami tutorial from Japanese students, and dances by students from Vietnam, India, Morocco and Iran.
“It was interesting that the woman from India showed what her culture is actually like because most people just believe stereotypes,” SAC student Frida Villegas said.
The festival concluded with awards presented to the students of different countries for best cuisine, dress, display and performance. There was also a Dean’s and President’s award.
“I appreciate that people are proud to represent their country’s culture,” SAC student Richie Olavarria said.
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