The 35th annual International Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University.
The campus will be transformed into a small global village as the university holds an annual celebration of the diverse cultures and traditions of its international student population. The festival will open with a flag procession by international students, followed by remarks from Alison Morrison-Shetlar, provost at WCU.
International Festival activities will include a demonstration of Japanese signing in remembrance of the devastation caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and performances by local Cherokee flutist Matthew Tonni; the WCU Gamelan Ensemble, led by Will Peebles; traditional Saudi Arabian dancers; world folk music by Whimzik (Glenn Kastrinos and Kjelsty Hanson); the WCU Inspirational Choir; and the WCU Straight-Ahead Jazz Septet.
In addition, a team of international students will take on a WCU intramural team in a pre-festival soccer match beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Catamount Athletic Complex.
Free.
828.227.7494 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..