Ethnic groups dance way to center stage

Fairgrounds exhibits bring other cultures close to home

By Becky Bowman

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November 01, 2002

Thousands of Indiana students ate and danced their way around the world Thursday -- without ever leaving the state.

The students were touring the 2002 International Festival, which opened Thursday and runs through Sunday in the Expo Hall of the State Fairgrounds.

The festival features interactive dance and music presentations, food and 30 booths from different countries.

"Ninety-nine percent of the time, the ethnic groups are doing internal things," said Susan McKee, president of the Nationalities Council of Indiana. "But once a year, they put on their public faces. This is our opportunity to get to know them as our neighbors."

While it's not the area's largest cultural event, the festival sports a broader range of cultures than most and brings the American melting pot to life, officials said.

McKee said she expects 20,000 visitors this year. Last year, about 15,000 visited the event.

Jose Lusende served up peanut butter soup, beef and chicken kabobs, and plantains.

He moved 11 years ago from the Belgian Congo to America and to Indiana seven years ago. He works at St. Vincent Hospital, and also runs a catering business, Tastes of Congo.

"For me, food is just a way to introduce the great people of America to the great people of the Congo," said Lusende, 35. "The food is just a way of starting the dialogue."

Lusende, who serves on the board of the Nationalities Council, said festivals are a good way to bring global culture to people who cannot afford international travel.

John and Darleen Himmelheber of Plainfield, began the day demonstrating buchelklobber, the German folk dance that tells the story of beechnut stomping, then sold pastries for the German American Klub.

The Himmelhebers, who will celebrate their 51st anniversary Sunday, said the festival plays a valuable role in introducing children to their roots.

Thousands of students from more than 15 schools toured the hall Thursday. They carried questionnaires and asked vendors about entertainment, flags and how to say hello.

Toward the day's end, Indianapolis-based Drum Village invited students onto the interactive stage to dance.

Kyle White, a sixth-grader from Central Middle School in Kokomo, said he thinks the festival is important.

"It gives kids a chance to experience what people in other countries live like, and to experience how their customs are," said White, 11, whose father was born in the Philippines.

North Central High School student Ninoshka Angulo, 14, moved here from Costa Rica two years ago. She said she couldn't pick a favorite exhibit.

"No, I just like it all."