World’s Fare offers cultural experience

An Indiana Memorial Union employee whisked by with a tray of hot food as the smell of various ethnic cuisines wafted from Alumni Hall on Wednesday at the fifth annual IU World’s Fare.

Local group Salaam played Middle Eastern and North African music as long lines formed at the booths of 19 international student associations.

The Singapore Student Association served chicken satay in small plastic cups, while the African Student Association served kelewele (spicy plantains) and Latinos
Unidos of IU served flan.

Freshman Augustus Sherfick said he enjoyed the free food the most, including the flan and several Indian dishes.

“I live in the Global Village (Living Learning Center), so I’ve been to plenty of random cultural activities,” Sherfick said. “This is one of the coolest events I’ve been to so far.”

The Office of International Services and Union Board planned the World’s Fare. It featured a slideshow of photographs taken by international students and performances by international student associations.

“The performances are great — it’s not stuff you see every day,” said junior Darius Sawyers, the director of the Outreach Committee for Union Board. “It’s great to see different cultures perform their talents in the span of an hour.”

Performance and cultural display judges gave awards for the best performances and cultural displays.

Director of the Leo R. Dowling International Center Sandy Britton said the main focus of the event was the cultural display from each association.

“We’re highlighting various cultures that we have on campus,” Britton said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to do that. The event is really, to me, a happy occasion.”