Ohio University Celebrates International Week

ATHENS, Ohio (May 3, 2000) -- Court Street will become a collage of cultures May 20 during the annual International Street Fair, which features an array of sights, smells and flavors from around the globe. Thirty student and community groups will celebrate the diversity of Ohio University and Athens during the fair, the culmination of International Week, May 15 through 20.

The event, which will run from noon to 7 p.m, will include its regular fare of native food, music, dance and artwork and, for the first time, feature educational displays about various cultures, ranging from Chinese and Indian to African and Russian.

"This will give the groups a chance to tell others about their language, culture and politics -- just giving a little sample of who they are," said David Tilahun, associate director of International Student and Faculty Services, which coordinates the week's events. "While people are browsing, they might learn something that interests them."

Here's a look at other International Week events:

Monday, May 15: Allan Stamm of Capital University, a specialist on ecotourism in Cuba, will speak on "Environmental Issues in Cuba" at 7 p.m. in The Ridges Auditorium.

Tuesday, May 16: The Phi Beta Delta initiation is from 5 to 7 p.m. in Baker Center's Maggie Davis Room. Phoebe Eng, an activist, attorney and director of DMI Media Group in New York, will talk about her book, "Warrior Lessons," concerning the empowerment of AsianAmerican women, at 7:30 p.m. in Baker Center Ballroom.

Wednesday, May 17: The Athens Friends of International Students Coffee Hour is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the lobby of Voigt Hall.

Thursday, May 18: Mosaic workshops will be offered to children in grades one through three and four through six from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Museum of Art. To register, call the museum at 5930953. Also, a two day conference, "Interethnic and Religious Conflict," is from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 18 and 19. Sponsored by the Center for International Studies, the Kennedy Lecture Series and the Political Science Department, the conference will focus on the underpinnings and social implications of conflict in hopes of making its management, resolution and prevention more effective. For more information, contact Symeon Giannakos, 593-4382, or giannako@ohio.edu or Polly Sandenburgh, 593-1842 or sandenbu@ohiou.edu.

* For more information on International Week events, check out the Web at www.ohiou.edu/intlweek/ or contact David Tilahun at (740) 593-4330 or by e-mail at tilahun@ohio.edu

International Street Fair schedule

• Noon to 12:30 p.m.: School of Dance presentations
• 1 to 1:15 p.m.: Opening remarks from President Robert Glidden and Athens Mayor Ric Abel
• 1:20 to 1:40 p.m.: American folk dance by the Midnight Cloggers
• 1:45 to 2 p.m.: German folk songs by Delta Phi Alpha
• 2:05 to 2:25 p.m.: American folk dance by the City Clickers
• 2:30 to 2:45 p.m.: Indian folk dance by the Indian Student Association
• 3 to 3:15 p.m.: Best display awards
• 3:20 to 3:40 p.m.: Sanfoka Ensemble by the African Student Union
• 3:50 to 4:10 p.m.: Irish Folk Dance
• 4:15 to 4:35 p.m.: Ngoma Ra Mrongo Dance Troupe
• 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.: Tantrum Comedy Troupe
• 5:20 to 5:45 p.m.: Caribbean dance by the Unity Board of Hocking College
• 5:55 to 6:55 p.m.: Music from around the world
• 7 p.m.: Closing