30th annual Culturefest to be held Nov. 4

The University of Maine Office of International Programs and International Student Association will host a daylong celebration of cultures Saturday, Nov. 4 in the New Balance Student Recreation Center.

The 30th annual Culturefest will feature international cultural exhibits, food, children’s activities, a style show and performances from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public, and provides the university’s international students a place to showcase their talents and traditions.

This year, roughly 60 countries will be represented by more than 150 participants. Organizers expect about 1,500 visitors from the campus and surrounding communities.

New this year is a collaboration with the newly formed Maine Multicultural Center (MMCC) in Bangor. MMCC will host a table and activities which highlight the cultural diversity of Greater Bangor and the important role new Mainers play in the region’s economic development.

MMCC is partnering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Bangor to provide increased access to Culturefest for local families. For information about transportation provided by the program, call Cat Hamel at 942.6365.

“Culturefest is a wonderful opportunity for our communities to celebrate diversity and inclusion,” says Sarah Joughin, senior associate director of the Office of International Programs. “Participants will travel the world in a day and have ample opportunities to engage with individuals from a wide variety of cultures. Showing an interest and willingness to learn about the traditions and values of cultures outside our own helps us to become global citizens and is a great way to say to our neighbors, ‘You are welcome here.’”

More information on Culturefest is available online or by calling 581.3437.