The Festival of Cultures brought students together to explore the foods and customs of a diverse array of cultures. Photos by Emmi Elmaleh ’27.
Eckerd College hosted its annual Festival of Cultures on April 24, an event that brings students together to celebrate the diverse, international backgrounds represented across campus. The festival transformed the GO Pavilion into a space where food and traditions were shared in community.
Students represented countries including China, Brazil, France, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Scotland and India, along with the Eckerd College Afro-American Society, which brought catered food from a local restaurant. Each group brought traditional dishes reflecting the heritage of the country they represented, offering attendees an opportunity to taste foods from around the world.
Students played a role in educating others about the cultures and backgrounds of the food they brought to the festival. Many took time to explain the significance of the dishes they brought and the country’s customs. Conversations at the tables allowed attendees to learn about cultural practices in countries they may not have known much about before.
In addition to sampling delicious food, festival attendees had engaging discussions about each other’s cultures.
Senior environmental studies student Laura Josler from Cleveland, Ohio, will earn her B.S. this May with a minor in biology. When Laura initially looked into colleges, she wanted a B.S. in environmental science but selected Eckerd due to its small class sizes and research opportunities. She tailored her courses to biology and the natural sciences, qualifying her for the B.S. now.
The Festival of Cultures featured dishes to sample from several cultures from all across the world.
Jorge A. Angulo-Valdes, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of marine science, who originally hails from Cuba, praised the festival and the participants: “This event highlights Eckerd’s commitment to respect other people’s cultures and to connect among ourselves for a better cause. The most important thing our students get to keep is human connection, tolerance, and acceptance of different values and beliefs.”
In addition, Angulo-Valdes creates opportunities for cultural exchange by taking his students to Cuba during the Winter Term. The trip studies current marine research and conservation efforts in the area, while students also explore Cuban culture, including home stays and visits to historical sites in and around Havana.
The festival fostered a strong sense of community, encouraging students to engage with one another in a welcoming environment.
“I had an educational experience at the Festival of Cultures,” says Avery Schlattman, a junior communication student from O’Fallon, Missouri. “I was able to try so many new foods that were delicious and was introduced to several clubs on campus that I didn’t know about before. Everyone at all of the tables were friendly and open to speak about their culture. It was really interesting to hear the different fun facts they shared.”
