Malaspina celebrates Multicultural Week March 5 to 9

Celebrating diversity – that’s the goal of Multicultural Week at Malaspina University-College’s Nanaimo campus March 5 to 9.

The week-long celebration, organized by Malaspina’s International students, includes a parade, cultural presentations, displays, performances and the chance to taste cuisine from around the world.

“We’re inviting students, staff, faculty and the general public to help celebrate the diverse culture on campus,” said Liz Friday, event organizer and fourth-year student. “Our goal is to increase interaction between Canadian students, international students and the community while sharing international cultures and customs.”

Each year, more than 1,000 international students representing over 50 countries study at Malaspina. The cultural diversity of the student population is a key factor that makes Malaspina a special and unique place, Friday said.

Multicultural Week kicks off Monday, March 5 with a rally and parade in front of the Centre for International Education (Building 255) at 12 noon.

In the afternoon, an international potluck and etiquette workshop will be held in the international building from 1 to 3 pm. Students and community members will bring in various dishes, explain what they are and talk about their culture’s behaviour and rules of etiquette.

Cultural performances highlight Multicultural Week festivities, said Friday, and this year is no exception. Salsa and tango dancing, sword art, belly dancing and Taekwondo demonstrations will take place in the Upper Cafeteria on Tuesday, March 6 between 2 and 5 pm.

Students will transform the Upper Cafeteria once again on March 7 with colourful cultural displays between 2 to 5 pm. “They will be available to meet and greet the public and answer questions about their home countries,” added Friday.

For film buffs, international film night takes place Thursday, March 8 in Building 200, Room 203, from 7 to 9 pm.

A Multicultural Week Concert, Sounds of India, takes place the same night in Building 356, room 109 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Tickets are being sold in the main reception area of Building 255.

Multicultural Week festivities wrap up Friday with an international coffee house from 1 to 3 pm in Building 255, Room 170, featuring treats from around the world. A pub night hosted by the Malaspina International Student Association in the Velvet Underground student pub begins at 8 pm.

All week, Malaspina’s Culinary Arts students will be preparing international cuisine, which will be available for sale in the Upper Cafeteria at lunchtime between 11:30 am and 1 pm.

Friday said international and Canadian students have poured hundreds of hours of energy, enthusiasm, creativity and hard work into planning the Multicultural Week celebration and are hoping for a good turnout by students, staff, faculty and the community.

Multicultural Week activities take place at Malaspina’s Nanaimo campus, 900 Fifth Street. For a complete schedule of events, go to www.viu.ca/multicultural, or for more information, email Friday at fridaye@viu.ca or Yi-Ping Chien at chieny@viu.ca.