Wrap up: Festival of Nations 2013

Festival of Nations keeps us coming back for more!

Recently, we asked our Facebook and Twitter followers: What they love about Festival of Nations and why is it an important event for them to attend. 

We got some awesome responses! 

Ana

"I love attending festival of nations for the fun experience and food. I love seeing the dances from different cultures and seeing the cool shops full of amazing things from around the world. It's like going around the whole entire world just in one area. I've been going for four years and it never gets boring"

Jennifer

"I grew up in a military family, living overseas and being exposed to a multitude of cultures.  I think it is important to expose my daughter to other cultures and ways of life.  The Festival of Nations has been an annual event going on four years this year!"

Cheryl

"My ancestry includes Czech from my father's side of the family.  My grandmother, was full-blood Czech which got me curious about the Czech culture and because of my love of Czech food ( fond memories of my grandmother's Czech cooking growing up).  This is how I became interested in the Sokol organization and have attended several of their events and "Like" them on Facebook and found out about this contest. 

I've never actually been to the Festival of Nations but have intended on going for many years.  It would be wonderful to experience all the festivities, try all the different ethnic foods and learn more about different cultures. Imaging it almost like being on a trip around the world and would love to attend!"

Thank you, ladies!

Festival of Nations is finally upon us this weekend, we can't wait to see you all! 

Czech and Slovak Republic at the Festival of Nations

 We have a special post from Martina Gurgel, chair for the Czech and Slovak Republics cultural exhibit.

The Czech and Slovak Republics representatives want you to come and visit their booth, and here's why:

"Come and visit our cultural booth representing the Czech and Slovak Republics. Learn about  the everyday life of Czech and Slovak children: how is it different from living in the U.S. and in what aspects is it similar to children's life here as well.  Have fun learning some tongue twisters, our special cursive writing, and basic phrases.  Bring a camera to take a picture at our booth as a keepsake.  Kids can pose for a photo like a princess or a waterman from our classic fairy tales.  We can't wait to see you! "

We're excited for everything the Czech and Slovak Republics cultural exhibit has to offer! Make sure to pay them a visit at any time May 3-5.

www.festivalofnations.com

Thank you Martina!

New to the Festival of Nations!

The Festival of Nations grows each year and we are always excited about new countries/ethnic groups/cultures and communities who participate with us!

New in the Bazaar:

Palestine and Turkey

                    

          

New in Exhibits:

 Bulgaria, Haiti, The Republic of the Congo, and Sudan.

  

New in the Demonstrations:

Native American Breastplates

Make sure to visit them and welcome them to the Festival of Nations family!

For more details: http://festivalofnations.com/

Sudanese American Aya Elmileik on her experiences with Festival of Nations

Source: http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2013/04/04/our-stories-sudanese-american-aya-elmileik-her-experiences-festival-nations

Salsa del Soul

Friday night, May 3rd at the Festival of Nations is jam packed with great performances! One of which includes Salsa del Soul.

Salsa del Soul is a Twin Cities-based, nine-piece Orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean.  The band has been making dance music around the Twin Cities and the Midwest region for more than a decade.

 

Salsa del Soul perform locally at various places including restaurants and bars, private engagements, jazz and Latin festivals, and many other events around the Twin Cities.

Come ready to dance as Salsa del Soul take you from one region of the Caribbean to the next with their Son, Son Montuno, Plena, Cha-cha-cha, Bachata, Timba, or Salsa style of music!

Rahim Alhaj, performing at Festival of Nations, May 3rd!

Rahim Alhaj will be performing at Festival of Nations Friday night, May 3rd and we couldn't be more excited!

Rahim Alhaj is an oud musician and composer.  Born in Baghdad, Iraq, he began playing the oud at nine years old. The talent he has was evident early on.  In 1991, after the first Gulf War, Rahim was forced to leave Iraq due to his activism against the Saddam Hussein regime and began his life in Jordan an Syria.  He moved to the US in 2000 as a political refugee and has resided in Albuquerque, NM ever since. (www.rahimalhaj.com)

Rahim has performed around the world and is considered one of the finest oud players and musicians in the world.  He has won many awards, including two Grammy nominations.  His March 2009 release, Ancient Sounds, was nominated for a 2010 Grammy in the Best Traditional World Music Recording category.  Rahim has released seven albums.

New this year, Festival of Nations presents Think Global, Party Local on Friday night with extended hours, wine tasting, international beer, and a lineup of fresh music from international artists, including Rahim Alhaj.

Rahim has unique and great talent and we are so excited to have him perform at Festival of Nations. 

For more on Rahim Alhaj, please follow the link: Rahim Alhaj

For more on the events of Friday night and Festival of Nations, please go to our home page: Festival of Nations

See you all in May!

We asked, you answered!

What do Festival of Nations go-ers love and look forward to each year? We asked via survey and here are the results:


What is your favorite part of Festival of Nations? Top 5 favorites.

1.  Cafe/Food
2.  Bazaar
3.  Demonstrations
4.  Entertainment/Performances
5.  Exhibits

What is your favorite food you've tired at the Cafe? And from which country/ethnic group?

• Koshary from Egypt
• Crepes
• Jiternice from Czech
• Greek Honey Puffs
• Indian
• Desserts from  Denmark
• Lezba from Norway
• Zlabya from Lebanon
• Curry
• Gyros from Egypt and Greece
• Cabbage rolls
• Arepas
• Eclair from France
• Mo-mos from Tibet
• Hedelmämuha (fruit juice) from Finland

            Lots of you said "EVERYTHING!", "Only place to eat yourself around the world", "I love everything!"

Who do you attend the Festival of Nations with?

1. Friends
2. Family
3. Co-workers

How long have you been attending the Festival of Nations?
     
 So many of our attendees and visitors have been visiting for many years, some over 20 years!

A special thank you to all who took the time to answer our survey! We can't wait to see you all in May! 

If you'd like to contribute to the blog by sharing your stories, your vendor information, anything that comes to mind, please e-mail Aya at ayaelmileik@gmail.com, thank you!

Think Global. Discover Local.

Guest Blogger: Amy Hokanson of the Mooncon Ceili Dancers

We're so excited to have a special feature this week.  This week's blog is from Amy Hokanson, a dancer with the Mooncon Ceili Dancers.  Thank you Amy!

Hello to all Festival blog readers!  My name is Amy Hokanson and I am a dancer with the Mooncoin Ceili Dancers.  I will be performing on Saturday night of the Festival this year!

My first Festival of Nations performance was in sometime in the early 1980s.  At the time, I was studying Irish step dancing at the Crossroads School of Irish Dance under the direction of Jenny Bach. I, along with the other dancers, were taught a ceili dance called the Bonfire.  Ceili dancing is done typically in social settings and is a dance for a group rather than a solo performer.  I remember practicing for hours in the old church on Prior Avenue in Saint Paul.  The circle had to be perfect, the arms held just so.  There was also a rehearsal for a large group dance with many of the other ethnic dancers.  How exciting it was to be in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium with all those other people working towards a common purpose.  

The day of the performance was so special.  This was in the days before the auditorium was renovated and  was twice the length it is now.  One side would be dark while performers at the other end performed under the lights.  In the darkness we walked out to the center of the performance space and waited in anticipation.  Then the lights went up on our end and the music started and off we danced.  

 

This is me, in 1981 at age 10

I performed in many Festival of Nations as a young person, but although I kept dancing, the Festival performance eventually was done by others in the Irish community.  Today, I am 42 years old and preparing for another Festival of Nations.  I have participated twice in the last few years.  Last year, our organizer included the Bonfire as part of our performance.   As many times as I have danced this particular dance over the years, it was especially fun working on perfecting it for a performance again.  It will be a part of this year's performance as well.  

 Large group performance in 1981 at the Festival.

What I truly love about the Festival of Nations, is the coming together of all of the different cultures for a common purpose.  This is being played out on a small scale in the adult Irish dance community as we rehearse for this performance.   There are many adults involved with Irish dance in the Twin Cities in many different groups.  It is rare for so many to perform together as we do for the Festival of Nations.  Dancers from the Mooncoin Ceili Dancers, Knocknagow Irish Dancers, Loma mor Irish Dance Club, and adults of the O'Shea Irish Dancers are all busy right now in joint rehearsals perfecting our performance.  This aspect - this opportunity to gather and celebrate each other as one community is really the essence of the Festival of Nations and my most cherished part of this experience.  

So please, come see us dance this year!  We are performing Saturday night, May 4th in the 8pm hour. 

Amy Hokanson

Mooncoin Ceili Dancers

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day from the Festival of Nations to you!

No Valentines Day is complete without desserts, right? Have some fun exploring and trying desserts from around the world!

Here are a few desserts from different countries.  We've put a link with each dessert to take you directly to the recipe.

France:

- Dessert: Blueberry Cheesecake Creme Brulee
- Recipe:  http://iwashyoudry.com/2013/02/08/blueberry-cheesecake-creme-brulee/

Italy:

- Dessert: Tiramisu
- Recipe: /http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/02/11/tiramisu-italian-dessert-perfection/

South Africa:

-Dessert: Malva Pudding

- Recipe: http://www.hulettssugar.co.za/step_into_our_kitchen_grandmas_malva_pudding_decadent_desserts_recipes

Japan:

- Dessert: Green Tea Ice Cream

- Recipe: http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Green-Tea-Ice-Cream-Epicurious_2?columns=3&position=2/36

Brazil:

- Dessert: Cartola

- Recipe: http://bewhatwelove.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/cartola-a-delicious-dessert-from-brazil/

Share the love and make a delicious dessert for your loved ones! Let us know how they work out!

Bon Appetit!

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

The Festival of Nations is very lucky and excited to have the Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars perform this year!

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have fans from all around the world providing uplifting songs of hope, faith, and joy.  They have become one of Africa’s top touring and recording bands.

The band is from the African country, Sierra Leone.  The band formed of refugees displaced to Guinea during the Sierra Leone Civil War.  The band returned to Sierra Leone in 2004 and has since toured extensively to raise awareness for humanitarian causes.  The band has 3 successful albums.

Make sure to explore their great music and we look forward to seeing them Friday, May 3^rd and hope you are too!

Here is a performance clip of the band:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZJscRYBmIg

They will be performing Friday, May 3^rd, it will be a show you do not want to miss!

Festival of Nations 2013

It's that time of the year again! Festival of Nations is arriving upon us quickly, it's only 3 months away. We couldn't be more excited for all the wonderful culture that will be shared and all the fun that's in store.

Joining the Festival of Nations this year are some exciting performances, one of which is the Sierra Leone's Regugee All Stars will be performing Friday night!

The Republic of Congo and Haiti will each be new additions this year, each representing their culture. We're happy to have them!

We've joined both Pinterest and Instagram! Please follow us to share photos, food recipes, fashion and much more!

Pinterest: MNFestofNations http://pinterest.com/mnfestofnations/
Instagram: MNFestivalofNations


Here are all the details of the event:

- Date: Friday, May 3- Sunday, May 5
- Times:
   Friday, May 3rd: 4:00 p.m.-10 p.m.
   Saturday, May 4th: 10:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
   Sunday, May 5th: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Location: Saint Paul RiverCentre



This is a wonderful event to attend with your family and friends. We can't wait to see you!