INTERNATIONAL WEEK EVENTS BEGIN MAY 11

5/1/98
Contact: David Tilahun, International Student and Faculty Services, (740) 593-4330

Editors/news directors: A photo of Indian Student Association members dancing on Court Street during last year's International Street Fair is available at http://www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/INTERNATIONAL.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's International Week activities begin May 11 and will culminate with the annual International Street Fair May 16. The weeklong celebration will feature the tastes, sights and sounds the international community has to offer.

This year's International Week theme is "Our Cultural Mosaic." The Street Fair is expected to attract 4,000 to Court Street in downtown Athens. More than 40 international groups will take part in presenting native dance and food. The events begin at 10 a.m. on the 16th.

"International Week, and the Street Fair specifically, bring the community and the international students together to learn more about each other's countries and cultures," said David Tilahun, associate director of International Student and Faculty Services, which coordinates the week's events.

Mario Permuth, this year's keynote speaker for International Week, will speak on "The Guatemalan Peace Process" in a free, public discussion at 7 p.m. May 11 at 194 Irvine Auditorium. Permuth was recognized as a distinguished citizen and peacemaker by the Guatemalan president for his work to bring peace to the country. Permuth has represented Guatemala as an ambassador in 25 special missions in more than 10 countries, and he was the recipient of the Orden de Quetzal, the highest honor awarded by Guatemala's government. Permuth, an attorney, is a member of key national commissions in Guatemala, including the National Commission for Reconciliation, the Commission for Legal Reform, and the Judicial Commission for Peace. He also is an internationally acclaimed photographer.

Other International Week events on the Athens campus throughout the week include:

  • May 11: Besides Permuth's public discussion, the program Study Abroad Opportunities in the World" will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. in 304 Baker Center, and the International Week Kick-Off Reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Scott Quad courtyard.

  • May 12: The film "Arabs and Jews: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land" will be screened from 7 to 9 p.m. in 135 Bentley Hall, followed by a discussion; a panel discussion, "La Familia Latina," will take place in 203 Baker Center from 7 to 10 p.m.; Ohio University Associate Professor of Consumer Sciences Prisca Nemapare of Zimbabwe will show slides of her native land at 7 p.m. in 332 Baker Center.

  • May 13: Study Abroad Opportunities in the World" will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. at 304 Baker Center; the Native American Awareness Coalition will show the movie "Black Robe" at 7 p.m. in 235 Morton Hall.

  • May 14: Study Abroad Opportunities in the World" will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. at 304 Baker Center; Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society induction ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. in Baker Center's 1804 Lounge (invitation only); African Dance Group will appear as part of First Presbyterian Church's Arts Alive! series at 7:30 p.m.; a movie by well-known filmmaker Jackie Chan will be shown at 8 p.m. in the Bryan Hall basement.

  • May 16: Carlos Cumpian of Chicago will give a poetry reading at 7 p.m. in the Front Room, Baker Center. The International Street Fair schedule on May 16 is as follows:

  • 10 a.m.: Music from around the world
  • 10:30: Traditional fan/ribbon dance: Chinese Language Club
  • 10:45: Traditional Mexican dances: The Spanish Club and Sigma Delta Phi
  • 11: Remarks by Ohio University President Robert Glidden and Athens Mayor Ric Abel
  • 11:30: Ga-Li vocals and instrumentals: Native American Awareness Coalition
  • 11:45: Burmese traditional dancing: The Free Burma Coalition
  • 12:30 p.m.: Traditional Indian folk song and dance: Indian Student Association
  • 1: Midnight Cloggers
  • 1:30: Students Teaching About Racism skit
  • 1:45: East Elementary School children's cultural performance
  • 2: Taiwanese student performance
  • 2:30: City Clickers
  • 2:45: Salsa and meringue and folk songs: Organization of Latin America
  • 3: Hocking College Unity Board performance
  • 3:30: Best Table Contest Awards

    International Week is sponsored by Hocking Valley Bank; Follett's University Bookstore; Ohio University Employees Credit Union; Beads & Things; and the International Student Union, in cooperation with International Student and Faculty Services, International Week Planning Board, Center for International Studies, Latin American Studies, Kennedy Lecture Series, Office of Alumni Relations, University Program Council, Athens area merchants, and the city of Athens.

    -30-