VCU’s student population is hovering around the 30,000 mark , and the
university is home to students, faculty and staff from virtually all around the
world. You can observe this diversity while spending a few minutes near the
compass on a nice day or simply while walking to class.
But if you decide to give the iPod a break for a day (Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song”
will be there when you get back), a chorus of different languages will be heard
throughout campus-snatches of Spanish, Arabic, Urdu and various others mesh
together to form a cornucopia of sounds.
It is no surprise then that VCU decided to capitalize on the infinite cultural resources
the university and surrounding Richmond area have at their fingertips.
The VCU Intercultural Festival, organized by both students and faculty,
was established more than 10 years ago but was first documented officially in
2002. The festival strives to unite the community, to educate students and city
residents about cultural diversity and to showcase this diversity through different
avenues.
Intercultural Week begins today and will end on Saturday with the ICF Parade.
Activities throughout ICF week, including this coming Saturday’s Intercultural
Festival Parade, strive to whet anyone’s cultural appetite, whether it is for dance,
music, art or food.
Stop to examine the window paintings on the way to class or to study outside
in the Commons Plaza to the strains of music from all over the world-this
event is not to be missed.
A highlight of some ICF events:
Monday
10-11 a.m.Tea 101 and Tea Tasting with Cuppa Tea Company.
University Student Commons, Richmond Salon III.
1-3 p.m. Zumba with Marcela. Cultural Dance Lessons.
University Student Commons. Virginia Room A.
3-5 p.m. My Lan Tran. OMSA Multicultural Speaker Series.
University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom A.
7 p.m.Movie: “The Kite Runner.” University Student Commons,
Commons Theater.
Tuesday
1-2 p.m. Salsa Dance Lessons by Yves Falanga. University
Student Commons, OSMA, Room 215.
3 p.m. OMSA Diversity Film Series: “Wearing Hijab.” University
Student Commons, OSMA, Room 215
4-6 p.m. OMSA Women of Color Discussion Group. University
Student Commons, OSMA, Shockoe Room.
7 p.m. Movie: “Babel.” University Student Commons, Commons
Theater.
Wednesday
9 a.m.-5 p.m. From Africa to Brazil: Continuity and Change in the
Atlantic World. University Student Commons, Commons Theater.
5 p.m. International Food at Shafer Court Dining Center with live
music by Stable Roots. Shafer Court Dining Center, Market 810.
7 p.m. Movie: “Still Life.” University Student Commons,
Commons Theater.
Thursday
12:30-1:45 p.m. AIDS in Africa presentation by Helen Ruth
Aspaas. University Student Commons, Virginia Room A.
3-4 p.m. Kukuwa Dance Lessons by Samantha Nuamah.
University Student Commons, Richmond Salon I.
7 p.m. Movie: “Volver.” University Student Commons, Virginia
Room C.
Friday
3-5 p.m. The Sephardic Identity and the Contemporary Spanish
Self in Antonio Muñoz Molina’s “Sefarad.” James Branch Cabell Library, 35-B.
Saturday
2-4 p.m. ICF Parade. The parade will begin on the corner of Floyd
Avenue and Harrison Street.
7 p.m. ICF Charity Concert featuring Culture-Sol. University
Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms.
Sunday
11am-6 p.m. ICF Festival
VCU Student Commons Plaza, 907 Floyd Avenue
A complete list of events, locations and the parade route can be found at www.vcuicf.org/Pages/Default.aspx