Annual Festival at U of R Observes Diversity of Culture

REDLANDS >> The University of Redlands held its 26th annual Multicultural Festival April 2, an opportunity for university students and the community of Redlands to come together and celebrate diversity under the banner of this year’s motto, "Living on Common Ground." The day-long event was filled with activities for people of all ages to enjoy such as rock climbing and bouncy houses. Vendors from all different backgrounds set up booths for visitors to sift through jewelry, clothes, bags, and more that were on display for sale. Performances from local groups like Irvine-based Arpana Dance Company and St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico of Redlands played throughout the day. Chairs and tables were set out in the grassy quad for people to sit, enjoy food from vendors or picnics they had brought themselves. “What we try to do is make sure everybody on campus feels that they can bring all of themselves into campus, into the classroom, into everything they do,” said Leela Madhavarau, adviser to the president and associate dean for campus diversity and inclusion. "We want that image to be projected out to the community, as well." Jana Wilcoxen, previous student at the University of Redlands and current translator and editor in Slovenia, first began the Multicultural Festival in 1991 as a way of breaking down barriers between cultures. Her goal for the festival was to create a unique, genuine experience for festival-goers so that when they attended they received a taste of the highlights of different cultures, like art, dance, music, crafts, and food. Wilcoxen’s vision has carried through to today, as can be exemplified through the motto of "Living on Common Ground." Madhavarau mentioned that while campus diversity and inclusion at the university were there for continuity and support, the festival is largely run by students. This year, senior English literature and management major Christina Lancey and freshman international relations major Lidya Stamper were the co-directors and students responsible for most of the festival. Beginning in December, Lancey and Stamper contacted and contracted the vendors, got a hold of a list of performers, organized the food vendors, and met with event services on campus. They also discussed with clubs and organizations on campus that wanted to be represented. “Because we condensed it into one area, I think there is more of a community feel,” Stamper said. “I think a lot of people are having fun. We commercialized really well so a lot of people have come out.” One campus organization represented at the Multicultural Festival this year was the co-educational service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. Members of the fraternity were selling bracelets that had been handmade by and purchased from children in Granada. Each bracelet identified its maker. Since the fraternity had already purchased the bracelets, communicative disorders and sciences major Hannah Borisly said they would probably donate the funds made during the festival to a charity. “The current population of students are pretty open-minded but I think it’s good to bring the community together,” Borisly said. "The outside community is welcome to come, as well. It’s good to have students as the spokespeople to the outside community." Other vendors at the festival included Origami Owl Custom Jewelry, private freelancers Henna Mama and Henna Crone, and Ali Najafi, who had been vending at the festival since its inception. “This helps the people to meet each other and to see we are all the same,” he said. “Doesn’t matter the color, race, religion. We are all the same. Our kids, family, they grow, they prosper. This is it for all of us. Unity is better than to be separated or hating each other." Najafi and his girlfriend Marlene Terrazas were selling necklaces, jewelry, bags, backpacks, and dream-catchers, representing all different cultures. Many of the items were imported from other countries. They also had flags from different countries, as well as rock group T-shirts and flags, cloaking their colorful tent, which caught the eyes of many passersby. Sisters Nancy Smith and Dale Gieschen, local residents, referenced Najafi as one of the reasons they decided to attend the event, as Gieschen had purchased some of his items at a previous university event. “He’s just a wonderful man,” she said. Though neither had attended the festival before, both said it was a wonderful experience with good music, food, and shopping. Everyone they had met had been more than friendly, they said. “It brings a lot of cultures together in a good way and we need that right now,” Smith said. "It really opens your eyes to we’re all the same. It’s a great, great idea." Throughout the afternoon, Smith, Gieschen, and other visitors were able to enjoy various musical performances, including dance troupes celebrating Indian and Mexican culture, and bird singers commemorating the rich Native American culture of Southern California. The event ran until the early evening and concluded with a performance from Cuauhtemoc Mexica Dance Group. Because the university now pairs the Multicultural Festival with the days where admitted students come to visit campus, the festival continues to gain more exposure every year. “I think it’s great to have something where you can come here and sit and bring a picnic and listen to great acts and not have to spend money,” Madhavarau said. "It’s just a good day out, and it’s a good way of bridging town and gown, as well, to bring people into the campus and enjoy it."