Holidays around the world

Holidays Around the World gave the Boise State community a chance to celebrate holidays from different cultures and countries. Though an annual holiday event has been a tradition, Holidays around the world is in its first year. In previous years, the focus has been primarily on Christmas.

Culture Center program assistant, Vi Nguyen explains "Well, in previous years [it has] basically been about Christmas. We have had arts and crafts and a Santa. I always wanted to put the different ethnics organizations together and show the diversity, celebrate everyone’s holiday. We wanted to present the culture."

Ro Parker, Cultural Center Coordinator agrees. "The [meaning of the] transition is to be more inclusive. Christmas is still going to be part, just not the central theme anymore. [We want to] highlight how other countries and other cultures celebrate this time of year."

The event had booths from all of the different student groups. At the booths, organization sold food and played games to display their culture. The Black Student Alliance band performed, while both the Vietnamese Student Association and the Intertribal Native Council both performed a danced.

Nguyen says the purpose of Holidays around the world is to raise awareness. "We just want to rise awareness to the community members, bring more people in. It has been about raising awareness and [promoting] diversity. All the student organizations work really well together and we support each other." Said Nguyen.

There was some concern about doing an event during Dead week, but Nguyen is happy with they way things have turned out. "Even though [it was dead week] everyone was willing to help. All the groups were willing to come together. It has actually been a lot of fun." Nguyen said.

The event took place Saturday December 13th. This year also marked the first time the event was held in the evening the first time the event included food. The participating student organizations used the event as a fundraiser.

Clubs that took part include: BARACADA, Black Student Alliance, Hui-O-Aloha, Intertribal Native Council, Japan Club, M.E.C.H.A., and the Vietnamese Student Association.

JULIAN RODRIGUEZ
Arbiter Journalist

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