Vibrant colors, music and the universal language of passion filled the third floor of Alain Locke Hall on Friday for the annual Howard International Languages and Cultures Festival. The event celebrated the cultural diversity of the university, featuring a blend of traditions and customs from across the globe.
The festival, which was organized by Howard’s Department of World Languages, showcased the cultural heritage of students and professors alike. Regions from Africa to Asia were represented, with each area offering a unique display of food, music, poetry and fashion.
For World Languages Professor Roberto Carlos Perez, the event was more than just an opportunity to display cultural pride, but also a chance to unite people from diverse backgrounds.
“Languages bring people together. That’s the entire purpose of any language. To unite people in a world that is so divided,” Perez said.
Across the third floor of Locke Hall, various classrooms were transformed to represent different countries and regions. Attendees explored everything from traditional food to musical performances, immersing themselves in a variety of different cultures.
In the spirit of introducing students to the music in Latino culture, Perez performed a rendition of “Grenada.” A song composed by reputable Mexican musician Augustin Lara.
Shortly after Perez’s performance, he joined World Languages Professor Trinidad Pardo Ballester who is originally from Spain, in a small lecture educating the attendees about Perez’s hometown of Granada, Nicaragua and Ballester’s knowledge of Granada, Spain.
One highlight was the culinary offerings presented by World Languages Professor Mayka Puente, who brought a taste of her heritage to the festival. Puente shared a variety of snacks, including dulce de leche, dulce de coco and plantains.
“It’s really nice to be able to share this with our students and the different people here so they can get a taste of our culture not just in the classroom, but outside the classroom,” Puente said.
Another feature of the event was the poetry section in the “African House,” where students recited poems in African languages like Swahili and Yoruba. Junior African studies major Diandra Blake, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, performed her own poem in Swahili, calling it a “love letter to Kilifi.”
“I talk a little bit about eating mangos or sitting under a tree eating watermelon, looking at the ocean, and just my love for Kilifi and Kenya in general,” Blake said.
While many countries showcased their cultures, the festival also addressed the challenge of promoting lesser-known traditions. Russian professor Isabelle Kaplan highlighted how her students worked to include not only Russian culture but also the broader Eurasian region in their presentations.
Kaplan along with her students represented not only Russia but also Ukraine, and other Slavic countries. A table full of Zakuski, a cold snack served on Rye bread, and Kvass, a popular drink in Ukraine, explored the cuisine of Eurasia.
Additionally, student volunteers colored Matryoshkas, Russian nesting dolls, and made their own Kokoshnik, which are tiaras for Russian royals of the past.
“Part of our mission is to promote the idea that Russia is not just for Russians. It’s still a language of use in an enormous swath of the Earth,” Kaplan said.
The festival provided an opportunity for students from all backgrounds to connect with cultures outside their own, fostering understanding and appreciation among Howard’s diverse community.
A psychology major from Kansas City, Missouri, Niyah McDowell said that this event was crucial in helping Howard students expand upon their personal and intellectual horizons.
“It’s important for us as Howard students to be immersed in different cultures because we need to get out of our American lens,” McDowell said. “Howard isn’t just an American university, but it’s an international university.”
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
