Would you like a puff-puff?
This year’s Feast of Nations, at the University of Minnesota Duluth, was a joyous celebration of culture. Food, fashion, and individual talents coalesced into hours worth of festivities.
Student leaders of International Club. — photo credit: Sarah Brown
UMD’s International Club hosted this year’s Feast of Nations, the 53rd one to take place at the school.
The night kicked off with a dinner featuring food from around the world — Indian, Korean, Nigerian, French and much more.
The puff-puff, a Nigerian and Liberian food, was certainly popular. Fried dough with a sugared exterior and the perfect pillowy texture… ah, so good!
A Nigerian/ Liberian puff- puff. — photo credit: Sarah Brown
Samosas and butter chicken from India accompanied by a heaping of white rice made the perfect meal.
An international meal. — photo credit: Sarah Brown
To top it off, there were plenty of drinks and desserts to choose from. Lactose intolerance had to go out the window in order to truly experience tres leches and mini eclairs.
Next up was a fashion show featuring both traditional dress and cultural outfits with a modern take.
Kathy Vang, Jay Xiong, and Linda Xiong (from left to right) from Hmong Living in Unity and Balance (HLUB). — photo credit: Sarah Brown
Seeing flashing silvers, bright purples and the beautiful simplicity of a traditional Colombian dress make its way down the aisle was one thing. It was another thing entirely to feel the pride and joy the audience had for each person walking down the runway.
Feast of Nations fashion show, Kirby Ballroom. — photo credit: Sarah Brown
That atmosphere carried over to the Marshall Performing Arts Center, which the audience made their way over to in order to see the talent show.
This was not your average talent show — Jack Place opened the evening with some extremely impressive and predominantly improvised piano. Poetry was spoken, dancers danced, and artist Delphin Starr speed-painted to a funky Bruno Mars track.
This annual event celebrates culture and showcases diversity from around the world. It’s joyous, it’s fun and only $10!