COOKEVILLE – Window on the World, Tennessee Tech University’s international festival celebrating cultural diversity and harmony, returns for the first time in two years this Saturday, April 9.
International students and members of the Cookeville community will set up booths on the university’s Main Quad with cultural displays on 20 different countries. The event is open to the public, and visitors will be able to learn about traditions around the world, taste international cuisine, and see live music and dances from 13 different nationalities. There will also be more than 10 different food booths, featuring both local businesses and those coming in especially for the occasion.
“This will be the 21st annual Window on the World,” said event co-coordinator Alejandra Cisneros Conohan. “We’re excited that this year things are going to be outdoors. It’s always a big event that’s well-attended, so it will be great to have the extra space. We’ve got a lot of wonderful vendors and small businesses coming to set up.”
The free event will begin at 10 a.m. with the procession of ambassadors and a welcome by Mark Stephens, Tech Senior Associate Provost, who will oversee the bestowing of the festival’s two traditional awards for leaders in international activism and friendship. Rachel Moses will receive that Mandala Award, while Jasen Knight will receive the Hector Black Award.
Following the opening ceremonies, various musical presentations will be held inside Derryberry Hall auditorium throughout the day:
- 10:30 – German Accordions, Ken and Mary
- 11:00 – Scottish Bagpipes, David Goodman
- 11:30 – Tech Students, Bangladeshi Dance
- 12:00 – Middle Eastern Dance, Travis Jarrell
- 12:20 – Indian Classical Dance, Mohera Narimetla
- 12:35 – Central Asian Dance, Travis Jarrell
- 1:00 –Chinese Lion Dance, Leroy Kautz & Studio
- 1:30 – Irish Step Dance, Students of Mary Mooney
- 2:00 – Global Education Center:
- Chinese Dance NCCC
- West African Drums Nyama
- International Folk Dance Helios
- Iranian Music Reza
- 4:00 – Latin Band Revolfusion
For more information on this Center Stage-funded event, visit https://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/wow/index.php, their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tntechwow , or their Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/tntechwow/.
