In 1945 Alice L. Sickels, then executive secretary of the International Institute of St. Paul, wrote a history of the first years of the Festival of Nations which she founded in 1932. This past April 30 - May 3 was the 77th Anniversary of that now famous and popular event. Her book title was, Around the World in St. Paul.
Since its publication by the University of Minnesota Press many new immigrants have made their home in America in general and in Minnesota in particular. Quoting from the book’s dust jacket the purpose of the Festival was “…to bring together the community for a weekend of singing, dancing, and eating together, on the basic assumption that when Americans, old and new, become acquainted as individuals, prejudices that infect their thinking will drop away and the barriers that separate them will dwindle.”
That dwindling has proven to be true for perhaps most of us. But with each new wave of immigrants there are often new prejudices to deal with and the age-old cycles repeat themselves. An annual three-day festival is never enough by itself unless a significant number of us are inspired to live some of the spirit of that festival the rest of the year round. The more diverse our communities become the more important it is to get to know our neighbors and to share and celebrate that diversity, to recognize and honor what is unique to each of our different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
At this now past 2009 Festival some 90 different ethnic groups were represented in the cultural exhibits, folk art demonstrations, an international bazaar, dance and music performances, and ethnic cafes. Among these were 18 different African identities: African American, Botswanan, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Malawian, Malian, Moroccan, Mozambican, Nigerian, Oromo, Rwandan, Somali, Tanzanian, Ugandan, Zambian and Zimbabwean. For the other 72 ethnic groups go to: www.festivalofnations.com.
Perhaps for most Festival goers the music, dance and food cafes are the biggest draw but none of the other attractions are left with scarce attention. Meaningful and insightful visits with the cultural exhibit volunteers are most common. Former Minnesota Governor Harold E. Stassen wrote of the 1942 Festival, “The great Folk Festival planned and produced by representatives of the cultural groups in Minnesota under the sponsorship of the International Institute is one sure means of creating understanding, dispelling fear and prejudice and setting a pattern, not only for our state and nation, but for the future world we hope will come with peace.” Those words still hold true these 67 years later.
Reserve now the last weekend in April, 2010, for next year’s Festival and in the meanwhile go out of your way to make friends with folks of a culture very different from your own. That advice or suggestion is for those who have not already done this. It’s called stepping out of your comfort zone. With honest openness to something new and different the rewards can be a life-long blessing.
Perhaps the time is right to update Alice Sickel’s 1945 Around the World in St. Paul with a Book II. Without waiting for that to be written a recommended read for African American’s is Held at a Distance: My Rediscovery of Ethiopia by Rebecca Haile who grew up here in Minnesota at age ten (go to: www.rebeccahaile.com ) and a good read for recent African immigrants to America is Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor based on her family’s experience in America’s rural South during the 1930’s. Mildred herself was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia in the 1960’s. Happy reading and happy friendship making.
