Multiple local organizations partnered to host the Hastings Annual Multicultural Festival
HASTINGS, Neb. — Celebrating the different cultures that make up the city, the Hastings Multicultural Festival returned this year.
Since 2009, Hastings College along with the Hastings Multicultural Association and the Hastings YWCA have been doing the city's multicultural festival. The event showcases food, dances and music from various counties.
"I think it's extremely important for us to discuss and see our differences in a fun and lighthearted way, that is just the beginning of the conversation for us to continue to grow as a community," said Hastings College VP for Access, Enrollment and Performance Dr. Annette Vargas.
Vargas said there is a large percentage of international students in the college, especially Bahamian students, like sophomore Tymia Thompson. Thompson is double majoring in philosophy and political science with a minor in communications. She said she was shocked when she saw students from Spain, South Africa, Honduras and more countries in Hastings College.
“I was like, 'OMG!,' and I thought I was far," Thompson said.
She added that the multicultural festival is a great gift for international students.
“We feel a little bit distanced sometimes, a little bit isolated coming from far counties and being here on our own," Thompson said. "So celebrations like this are so important to us."
The event doesn't only showcase the culture of foreign students but also the culture of Hastings residents from around the world.
“This is for our community to show themselves," Vargas said. "And a place for everyone to just talk, have fun and introduce themselves to what makes them, them.”
“Hastings actually has a diverse community, and we are really excited to come out and showcase this multicultural event. I think it's really great seeing everyone come out," said Hastings Mayor Corey Stutte.
The event took place at the Hastings College Kiewit Gymnasium. Executive Director of the YWCA Laura Stutte said that throughout the years, more and more people from the community and students participate in the festival.
“We used to have this in the Student Union, and it was a very small turnout, but it has grown so big that we don’t even have sitting room here at the gym, so this is a great problem to have," Stutte said.
"This is the first time we have a huge participation from the student body," said Dr. Moses Dogbevia, professor of chemistry at Hastings College.
Dogbevia said that having international residents and students around allow Nebraskans to have a wider perspective on the world.
“We live together, but we normally don’t get to know one another," Dogbevia said. "So, this event provides the environment for people to get to know various cultures."
“My American friends, they are just so curious about what kind of food we eat, where do our accents come from, how we pronounce certain words, that kind of positive curiosity is what I enjoy," Thompson said.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) also hosted their international food and cultural festival on Sunday. It was the 45th anniversary of their festival.
