Students went around the world in 80 minutes at the annual Festival of Nations without checking a bag or being frisked by TSA.
Hosted by the Associated Student Organization on the Mayan Hall patio, the festival is a celebration of the college’s tremendous diversity.
Two first place winners were awarded $250 for their booths and displays. The Muslim Student Association (MSA), represented Palestine, while the San Ysidro Child Development Club honored Mexico.
MSA’s ICC Representative Neda Dibas said she was pleased her club was chosen.
“We picked Palestine to represent back home,” she said. “That culture holds a lot of religious value to us since we are Palestinian. We had traditional clothing, a lot of hand crafting, jewelry boxes and ashtrays.”
Dibas said many students flocked towards the lively festival because of all the different music and food options.
“It was absolutely amazing to see everyone out there, it was something you don’t typically see,” she said. “Everyone was happy and just dancing and talking and there was good food which brings everyone together.”
Dibas said MSA served meals of falafel, baba ganoush, hummus and tabula rice. This was one of the reasons they were able to score a first place prize with the judges.
She said this event was unlike any other and she was delighted to see so many cultures represented at SWC.
“Everyone was understanding of one another and the different cultures, and people that are out there,” said Dibas. “Your race is not the only one and there is so much more to learn and a lot more exists. There are so many different cultures here at Southwestern College but you don’t really get to see them. This festival was an opportunity for people to put their cultures out there on display to see what exists on this campus.”
San Ysidro Child Development Club advisor Professor Edna Reynoso Marquez said her club was dedicated to the festival because its edict is to remind students of their ancestry.
“It is part of our culture, our objective is for the students to learn this culture so they can be proud of their background,” she said.
Julia Martinez, ICC Representative for the Child Development Club and a dancer for the group Toltecas Aztlán, said her club showcased pre-Columbian Mexico.
“Toltecas Aztlán has been active since the early 1970s and were artists and community workers that were part of the Chicano movement to bring positive identity for Mexican American Chicanos,” she said. “To bring that awareness to students today is our goal. Cultural identity gives us strength because it connects you to the past and gives you the drive to continue.”
Martinez said her club chose pre-Columbian Mexico to represent all civilizations that helped to mold what is Aztec culture.
“Aztecs borrowed a lot from all of the cultures, the Mayans, the Toltecs and the Olmecs,” she said. “They took from those cultures and modified it. We call it Aztec dancing, but it has a lot of those histories.”
Martinez said students benefit from these types of festivals. Understanding divergent cultures make us stronger, she said.
“I think it’s important that we all have those moments to share and exchange cultures,” she said. “At Festival of Nations there were so many different cultures from this college. I think the more SWC does events like these, it’s going to see more students have success. When it’s not relatable it’s hard, but when its something you have a connection to you will find it much easier to learn and be motivated and inspired.”
