'Taste' offers refreshing view of International Culture

By Jacob Wingard

Sponsored by the International Center, the Taste of the World International Showcase was held Monday, Nov. 14 and provided students with a free Global Learning Cultural event. Students and faculty gathered in Dina’s place to celebrate cultural diversity through a narrated review of performances from around the world. From dance to music, the cultural showcase took the audience around the world for a glimpse of everything from Spain to China. Photos by Aimee Harman • harmana@mytjnow.comCulture is about more than just a delectable treat from time to time, it is about the very soul of a region and the way that people interact with one another.  The 'Taste' of the World event proved just that by not being about savory dishes found in numerous countries, but rather a sneak peek into how other cultures express themselves through various mediums. 

'Taste', led by Kristie Farah from the Bahamas and Jennifer Kontor Kwateng from Ghana, was beautifully orchestrated from their parade of flags down to the Brazilian dance mix.  Numerous cultures were portrayed through this hour and a half event; while international students did their best to provoke interest in their particular homelands and getting into the act without the slightest bit of inhibition. 

The fashion show in particular illustrated how different cultures could be from our own, the Chinese students walked across stage wearing elegant single piece gown known as a cheongsam, while their male counterpart wore a long shirt and dress pants known as a changshan.  These particular articles portrayed the students pride in their country as they strut across the walk-way, bowing with grace and displaying their favorite colors in patriotic fervor.  Meanwhile, a student from the Middle East walked through in a full turban and a Bisht, a popular cloak in the Arab countries, along with a student from the African region dressed in a patching jacket and pants, symbolic of his nation.  Each article of clothing screamed their patriotism and expressed the differences between America and the various nations of the world. 

Despite many of the cultures performing in the same way to express their individuality, the differences between their tones, languages and various other mannerisms couldn't have been further apart.  The Japanese brought forth a New Enka song, performed by Arthur Takahashi from Brazil, whom sang in beautiful almost mournful tones as he motioned toward the crowd, attempting to draw them in with his interpretations through motion.  Meanwhile the Out Performance which was done by Haider almohsin of Saihat, Saudi Arabia, was much more formal.  Haider and a companion sitting next to one another and playing music while little happened otherwise; still the music was upbeat, lifting and full of energy that separated itself from the New Enka song's almost tragic undertones. 

The culture event ended after two displays of dance, the first Chuc Mung Nam Mai or Happy New Year, in Vietnamese, was a interpretive dance performed by the Vietnamese students on campus along with AnnaBeth Adams of the U.S. and Brenda Paredes of Peru.  The dance incorporated the use of objects such as hats and long white strips of cloth to add to the dance, adding symbolism and an extra layer of beauty to the performance.  Afterwards, the Brazilian students lead those in the audience through a mix of popular dance songs and movements from their native country, finally calumniating into a limbo contest where students were pulled from their seats and into the dance. 

All of the cultures displayed in 'Taste' were brought to the American students of Winthrop University through mediums anyone could all understand.  Music and Dance populate every culture, no matter how technologically advanced or under privileged they may be.  The bonds that students share through a popular song or through the motions a body goes through are succinct and common no matter who listens.  Though students may not have understood the words of Hay Amores or the African Unity Anthem, the overall tone could be conveyed and understood by the beat of the music or the sound of the artist's voice.  The International students acknowledged this fact and gave special thanks to Annie-Laurie Wheat, Professor of Theatre, in recognition of her hard work and dedication making the event possible.