Colorful Festival in Grand Center on September 22 Will Celebrate Diversity, Kick Off St. Louis Cross-Cultural Engagement Campaign

A sea of diverse faces, brilliant colored powders, personal stories and ethnic performances will unify an unusual multi-cultural gathering when Gitana Productions kicks off its St. Louis Cross-Cultural Engagement campaign with “Celebration of Oneness” on Saturday, September 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Held at Strauss Park across from the Fox Theatre in Grand Center, the Celebration of Oneness event will include an authentic Holi Festival of Colors. People from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, disability and age groups will cover each other with red, magenta, pink, green and blue powders, turning the crowd into a rainbow of colors.  

"The Celebration of Oneness will bring together people who rarely interact, even in diversity circles," said Cecilia Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions "Various ethnic groups will be represented, yes, but also the 15% of Missourians who are disabled. New and emerging cultures such as immigrant groups. Those who are unemployed or needy. Old and young, straight and gay, people with different abilities and beliefs.”

“This is a unique opportunity for the public to hear their stories and learn about the importance of cross-cultural engagement," Nadal said.

In addition to the festival of colors, the event will feature personal stories, artists, musicians and community leaders representing various St. Louis cultures and communities. Individuals are asked to send their personal stories of cross-cultural engagement to info@gitana-inc.org in advance of the event. Some of those also will be shared on-stage. Participants should dress casually, preferably in white or light clothing that can be covered with the nontoxic washable color powders, and bring towels to cover their car seats.

“The Celebration of Oneness is a call to action for unity, harmony and inclusion, particularly for those who are underserved or new to this country. The event will include people who are the ‘colors’ that make up St. Louis but who don’t often come together,” said Cecilia Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions. “We will joyfully celebrate our harmony and oneness.”

For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or contact Gitana Productions at info@gitana-inc.org or (314) 721-6556.