World Cultures Fair Brings Cultures and Traditions from Around the World

On Thursday, March 31, 2016, the Charleston community will be able to sample dozens of cultures from around the world without leaving the College of Charleston campus. The annual World Cultures Fair, hosted by the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Stern Center Garden. (The rain location is the Stern Center Ballroom).

The fair’s aim is to bring various cultures and traditions from around the world to the Charleston community. French instructor and fair organizer Kathy Kaufmann encourages the community to visit the fair to enjoy international food and music and learn more about the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs.

Now in its eighth year, the event will showcase international cultures with over 30 tables displaying crafts, foods and information about student clubs and international programs at the College. Attendees will be entertained by student, faculty, and community musicians and performers. Featured will be capoeira, belly dance, Chinese lion dance, songs, Gullah basket weaving and much more. Additionally, students, faculty and staff can enter the international food contest with faculty judges for the best item in the categories of appetizer, entrée, dessert, and beverage.

Hundreds of attendees are expected for food and entertainment that will take them on a trip around the world. Nearly every culture and language taught at the College of Charleston will be represented. Throughout the day, student clubs and LCWA faculty and staff will serve authentic foods and provide cultural experiences. Each hour of the festival will highlight a different food theme: 11 a.m. to noon is Asian hour, noon to 1 p.m. is Latin American hour, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. is European hour.

The School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs prepares students to become knowledgeable, engaged citizens in an increasingly complex and interdependent world. Home to one of the most comprehensive language programs in the Southeast, as well as in-depth programs in international and cultural studies, the school presents courses that are global, multicultural, interdisciplinary and comparative. Study-abroad programs in many countries around the world enhance the school’s academic offerings.

On the day of the fair, the entire College community is invited to wear festive or traditional dress to represent different cultures, not necessarily one’s own.

For more information on the World Cultures Fair, please contact French instructor Kathy Kaufmann at 843.953.6738 or kaufmannk@cofc.edu.

Fair sponsors include the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs; Division of Student Affairs; Office of Sustainability; ECOllective Student Project Committee; Aramark; Avery Research Center; Center for International Education; Office of Institutional Diversity; Multicultural Student Programs and Services ; International Studies; Hispanic Studies; French, Francophone, and Italian Studies; Classics; German and Slavic Studies; African Studies; Asian Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; International Studies; and Jewish Studies.