EASTON, Pa.(www.lafayette.edu), March 28, 2007 — Lafayette’s International Students Association (ISA) will hold its annual Extravaganza Monday, April 7 through Saturday, April 14 to promote a dialogue of global issues on campus.
This year’s theme, “United: One Root, Many Leaves,” highlights a different region of the world each day with a cultural exhibit in Farinon College Center, brown bag discussions, and various evening activities.
“The idea is that while the world is beset with differences and boundaries, it is important to remind ourselves that the human race has come from the same roots, and while we have all evolved and grown in different directions like the branches of a tree, there is and will always be a common bond to all of us,” says ISA vice president Vijay Krishnan ’07 (Bangalore, India), a double major in economics & business and international affairs. “It appears a natural progression of Extravaganza and ISA in our aim to create a common platform for all members of all communities to come together and celebrate.”
Some of the week’s highlights will be an international fashion show, a performance of Don Quixote, and a hookah night. To conclude the celebration will be an international food tasting, followed by the Grand Finale Saturday. Dishes for the tasting are prepared by students and faculty and tickets are $2. The Grand Finale features student performances of dance, music, and narration from around the world.
“Extravaganza’s importance stems from the fact that it is a chance for all cultures within and around the Lafayette community to express themselves and their culture,” says Krishnan. “It is also an opportunity to bring up and discuss some important global issues as we are today living in a world where our contact with a myriad of foreign cultures is increasing.”
Schedule of events:
Saturday, April 7 – Sunday, April 8
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Soccer World Cup, Fisher Field
Monday, April 9
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: East Asia Expo
- Noon – 1 p.m.: East Asia Brownbag, Oriental Drumming & Music in Japan, Limburg Theater, Farinon
- 8 – 9 p.m.: Open Mic, Gilbert’s Cafe
Tuesday, April 10
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: South Asia & Middle East Expo
- Noon – 1 p.m.: South Asia & Middle East Brownbag, Effect of Globalization on Vernacular in South Asia Marlo East
- 9 p.m.: Hookah Night, the Quad
Wednesday, April 11
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Africa Expo
- Noon – 1 p.m.: Africa Brownbag, Africa, 30 Years since Independence: Where are we? Interfaith Chapel
- 7 – 8 p.m.: International Fashion Show, Landis Atrium, Farinon
Thursday, April 12
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Americas Expo
- Noon – 1 p.m.: Americas Brownbag, Music: Influences, Links, Relationships in the Americas & Caribbean, Interfaith Chapel
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Don Quixote Performance Night (organized by the department of foreign languages and literatures)
Friday, April 13
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Europe Expo
- Noon – 1 p.m.: Europe Brownbag, The Hope for a Single European Identity Under the EU, Limburg Theater
- 5:30-7 p.m.: BBQ Night, the Quad
Saturday, April 14
- 5 – 7 p.m.: Food Tasting
- 7 – 9 p.m.: Grand Finale
