International Club Hosts Feast of Nations
This was the club's 75th anniversary, but the Feast of Nations event first started in 1967. Photo by Brandon Kwateng
UMD’s International Club hosted their annual Feast of Nations event on Saturday, Feb. 22. Held in the Kirby Ballroom, Feast of Nations is an event featuring a diverse array of international cuisines, fashion shows and performances. The event was designed to showcase the vibrant variety of cultures present on both UMD's campus and around Duluth.
Some of the food provided by caterers included baklava, gulab jamun, churros, fajitas, jerk chicken, crab cheese wontons, stir fried noodles, naan and chicken curry. Photo by Brandon Kwateng
“This year, the theme was Ticket to the World, so we wanted guests to feel as though they had received a ticket to visit all the places featured in the event,” said Alexa Oleson, International Club’s advisor.
There were song and dance performances by Divya’s Group, Jamie Pierce, Sarah Okyere, Niharika Bommadi, Gloria Tom, Grace Maki, Harika, Manasa, Sarah Okyere and MKDC, a K-Pop dance group from Minnesota.
There was also a fashion show of different cultural attires from Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam, India, Somalia, the Philippines and Bangladesh.
“This event is important to us because it’s our only on-campus event and is a culmination of everything IC stands for,” said Oleson. “It's a time to share cultural foods, clothes, and traditions through performances, and to celebrate the diversity of the UMD student body. Each year the International Club works hard to put this event together to give the UMD community a space to come together and experience foods, performances and traditional clothing from all around the globe.”
“This night is about sharing our cultures through fashion, music and food. It feels like a big, welcoming gathering full of laughter and connection. For many of us, it reminds us of the gatherings we have back home, making it a very special event,” said Varshini Bhavanam, the president of the International Club.
Organizers were pleased with the event’s strong attendance this year. Photo by Brandon Kwateng
“I think the event went very well,” Oleson said. “I am certain that nobody left the event hungry. I felt proud to be a part of an event that centers diversity and celebrates all the cultures our students come from.”
“Many people took food home, experienced different cultures, and engaged with the various performances and activities,” Bhavanam said. “It was a great turnout, and we’re happy that so many people could be part of the celebration.”
“I participated in a club that was very similar to the International Club at my university,” said Oleson. “Now that I am a staff advisor to the International Club, I feel honored to continue to create spaces for both international and domestic students to come together, share their cultural experiences and learn from each other. Getting to share that with the larger campus community is the cherry on top.”
More information about the International Club can be found at @umdintlclub on Instagram.