Travel the world during Wright State’s International Festival

Formerly known as the International Friendship Affair Festival, the International Festival: Cities around the World takes place April 15 in the Wright State Nutter Center.

It’s not always possible to travel the world and add colorful stamps to the pages of our passports.

Wright State’s University Center for International Education (UCIE) will celebrates the campus’ cultural diversity during the Wright State International Festival: Cities around the World, the largest cultural event on campus.

Formerly known as the International Friendship Affair Festival, the 33rd annual event takes place Saturday, April 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Wright State Nutter Center.

Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and younger and for students with a Wright1 Card. You can purchase admission tickets online.

“Everyone, no matter who you are, has a favorite city,” said Catherine Hernandez, UCIE’s international student program coordinator. “I am most excited about getting to experience a glimpse of countries around the world, specifically through food and live music. It is always inspiring to see how excited and engaged our students get in representing their countries. Every day they get to enjoy our culture, and on this day we have a chance to experience theirs.”

The festival will represent many of Wright State’s 1,300 international students who come from 60 countries.

The festival will represent many of Wright State’s 1,300 international students who come from 60 countries. Food vendors, performers and table displays will represent more than 40 countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Nepal and Trinidad.

Guests will be entertained throughout the night with a flag parade, cultural performances, cultural fashion show, five cultural cuisine vendors, international beers, live music, country displays, a children’s zone with face painting and an award ceremony.

Visiting vendors consist of Ajanta Indian Restaurant, La Colombiana Restaurante, Pearl Bay Thai and Asian Cuisine, Wanderlust Coffee Bar and Yaffa Grill Mediterranean Food. Local performers include a jazz trio, Zumba dancers and steel drummer Joseph Glenn, representing Trinidad.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome our students as visitors to our country, learn about their cultures and recognize the many contributions they provide our community,” said Michelle Streeter-Ferrari, UCIE director.

More than 1,000 people from the Wright State and local community are expected to attend the festival.