Passport around the world: Intercultural Fest gives Richmond a taste of diversity

This weekend VCU’s Intercultural Festival gives students a passport around the world.

ICF, held to educate students and Richmonders about cultural and ethnic diversities, features people from diverse cultures, dance and music performances, a parade, family activities and cultural food vendors and merchandisers.

“It’s fun and there is nowhere in Richmond that you can really experience and see different cultures come together and share cultures,” said Yen Pham, co-director of the Intercultural Festival.

ICF gives sororities, fraternities and other VCU students from various majors the opportunity to come together and meet, Pham said.

Although visitors can participate in the festivities without a passport, there are many benefits to having one. Once visitors have their passport stamped at various cultural areas, they may turn them in to win prizes.

The passport provides incentives to visitors who make an extra effort to learn and see the various cultures at the festival, Pham said.

The festivities kick off with Dr. Eugene Trani, president of VCU, speaking at the opening ceremony. VCU’s homecoming king, Ronald Young and homecoming queen, Ashley Jones host the performance shows.

Dance performances include hula, hip hop, Thai classical, Irish, African and Arabian belly dance, with many of the performers offering dance lessons to audience members.

Musical performances, such as spoken word, reggae, Muslim singing and Chinese instrumental also take to the stage.

The dance and musical performances expand to include students from local high schools and elementary schools, Pham said.

“We are advertising this all over Richmond and other locations outside of Richmond, hoping that we can get a larger crowd to this year’s festival than last year,” Pham said.

Last year approximately 3,500 people attended the Intercultural Festival and this year Pham expects that number to double.

“Our goal is to make this event the biggest cultural festival in the nation hosted by VCU students,” said Pham. “We want to embrace the different contributions that VCU students bring and learn from each other’s culture.”

This year’s ICF attractions include Chinese Acrobats, Crossroads Irish Dance Troupe, Latin Beat, fashion shows, The Rappahannock Tribe and an Olympic-style flag and float parade.

The parade, which takes place at the Commons Plaza and Linden Street, includes various student cultural organizations who will wave flags representing their country, and display their cultural floats.

Students also have a chance to play international sports and take part in other hands-on activities such as creating necklaces, pi