Shorecrest International Festival Celebrates Diversity and Unity

In a vibrant display of cultural richness and community spirit, Shorecrest recently hosted its annual International Festival, a remarkable event orchestrated by the dedicated efforts of parent volunteers. This year’s festival showcased the traditions, cuisine, arts and more from an impressive array of 49 countries, offering students and attendees an immersive journey around the globe through the cultures of its own community.

An elaborate setup of tables representing each participating country gave attendees the opportunity to savor delicacies from Albania to Vietnam, experiencing a voyage that delighted the senses and expanded cultural horizons. Captivating rhythms of traditional music and movements of dance performances in the festival's entertainment segment brought together talents from various corners of the world, fostering an atmosphere of celebration and appreciation for diversity.

International Festival Committee co-Chair Gisa Bok expressed her heartfelt appreciation. First she commended the tireless efforts of the organizing team, including Sebnem Koc, Savina Mintcheva, Mary Harris, Tani Masvidal, Claire Bussey, and Nidhi Patel.

"My deepest gratitude to our parent-volunteers, both International and American!" Gisa added. "Your diverse backgrounds, unique perspectives, and hard work, especially considering the challenges many of you face as immigrants, have truly made this event special for our children, offering a unique cultural experience. I am honored to have witnessed the power of collaboration and unity among such dedicated parents and volunteers. I want to express my sincere thanks to the helpful Shorecrest staff and the entire Shorecrest faculty for all their efforts in ensuring the success of this event." 

The festival also provided a platform for student involvement and learning. Mrs. Rosas’ Junior Kindergarteners took shifts in the Mexico booth to share insights into Mexico's animals and art, enhancing cross-cultural understanding and appreciation among peers. Their class pet is an axolotl, native to Mexico, and the students created papel picado.

The mosaic of countries represented served as a testament to the school community's cultural diversity as a source of strength and enrichment. The countries represented were: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands with Curaçao, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom with Scotland, United States of America, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this celebration of diversity and unity a resounding success!

View Photos

Flickr album: International Festival, Feb. 2024 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

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