25th Annual Cultural Festival
Last weekend, the Cultural Festival put on a great showing of the wide range of cultures Monmouth College houses on a small Midwest campus. There were performances by many talented undergraduate students, an amazing drumming show at the end, and several of educational posters around the gym about various cultures involved at the festival. To top it all off, different foods from all over the world were being served - all of which were delicious and unique.
I spoke to a few students involved in the Cultural Festival to hear their thoughts on the event. Lydia Dibissa was kind enough to answer some questions I had about the fest and its larger impact on Monmouth’s campus. Dibissa said that, “The best part of the event is the last act. It is the African drumming and dancing where the performers teach the audience and dance together, mixing in different dance moves from all over. It is a moment of pure fun and cardio.”
When I spoke to Miracle Sims, she had the same opinion, saying her favorite part “was the final show by the Teranga Drum Circle,” adding that she was able to perform alongside them during their performance.
Lydia filled me in on the organization that helped to advertise the Cultural Festival, Monmouth Advocating for Multicultural Activities (MAMA). There were posters throughout buildings on campus advertising the event weeks beforehand. Sims also mentioned this, saying “I knew about [the Cultural Festival] through my friends and a poster in the elevator of my dorm.”
When asked about student representation and diversity, Sims feels that the unifying effects of the event don’t extend year-round but she isn’t sure what else should be done to ensure everyone feels represented on campus. Dibissa, a junior, says that more students need to attend the event, noting that “the larger group [of attendees] is people of color.”
I also spoke to Regina Johnson, who had some very important insight on the value of this event. She said that the event “gives our international students a space to share a part of themselves and where they come from, with a campus in which most do not look like them,” which further validates the idea that the event is a way for students to feel seen and valued on campus. She also noted that this event gives the international students “a little bit of “home” to merge with who they are here as a student.”
Johnson added that the event exposes students to music, food, and interactions that they may not encounter outside the Cultural Festival. She mentioned that one way to make it more impactful would be for more faculty and staff members to encourage students to attend. Nevertheless, Johnson said that she did see many new attendees this year and is glad to see more people venturing out to learn about the different cultures on campus.
“There is something to be said for a campus that allows you to foster your authentic self,” Johnson said, and Monmouth is always giving us those opportunities not only to learn about the diverse experiences of students on campus, but also to vocalize and express our own. The organizers of the event and the students who look forward to sharing their culture year-round encourage everyone to keep posted on cultural events around campus and, in a year’s time, attend the 26th Cultural Festival.
Caroline King - Staff Writer
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