Grab Your Passport: International Festival Provides Multicultural Fun in O.C.

Soka University welcomed old and new comers to their 11^th Annual International Festival this past Saturday to enjoy a variety of cultural foods, dances and attractions. With 900 musicians and dancers in addition to the 250 craft and business booths, the festival was a huge success as hundreds of families and students came to enjoy the fun and active atmosphere. 

Freshman David Hirata, who is involved in Soka’s Josho Daiko and Kendo club, explained that the event was organized through eight committees that delegated tasks to volunteering student and faculty members.

“This is probably the biggest event of the year for our school and we always hold in on the first Saturday of May in order to celebrate our university’s birthday, which is May 3," he said.

The three main stages--The Performing Arts Center, Peace Lake and Recreation Center--featured an array of performances from local institutions such as the Alison Niguel High School choirs and Alison Viejo Middle School’s WhipLash Kids Band, as well as larger groups like the San Diego South Choirs and the U.S Blackbelt Academy. People also were able to enjoy showcases from the Cheerleading Club, Hip Hop Congress and Soul Wings, a cappella group, along with some of the university’s own organizations.

Twelve-year-old Michelle Hernandez and Gillian Torres, part of the Grupo Folklórico Los Soñadores that specialize in Mexican dances, performed a high-energy Veracruz number for the appreciative crowd.

 “We’ve performed here a couple of times and we all really like it because everyone here is just so nice!” said Hernandez. Added Torres, “Everyone seems to really enjoy it—like we can’t even walk down from the stage without people asking to take pictures with us in our costumes!”

The festival itself was divided into six sections: Student Projects, Ceramics Demonstrations, Recycled Treasures, Fire truck or Sheriff, Soka Education and Adventure Land for kids. Everyone had entertaining demonstrations.

To encourage active participation, festival “passports” also were provided, which included a map and stamp circles for the six areas of the International Festival. Festival goers could receive stamps at the proper location, and once all six were collected a prize could be claimed at the Recreation Center.  

A myriad of non-profit organizations, small businesses and food tents were spread out, which appealed to a wide spread of cultures. The food tents displayed tantalizing treats from around the world including Korean BBQ, takoyaki, baklava, carnita sliders, boba teas and more as others presented accessories, hand-made crafts and fashionable attire.

If you were interested in a scuba diving expedition, Ghungroo Indian Dance or Henna body art, the International Festival satisfied an incredible variety of cultural tastes and interests while bringing the community together.