LAC’s A Quad transformed into a hub of global music, food and dancing that brought a sense of home to campus at the third annual International Cultural Fest on Nov. 19.
Live Mexican banda music by the Molina Vargas Brothers and Japanese taiko drumming by Ryujin Taiko served as invitations for students to try Vietnamese lemongrass roasted chicken, Mexican beans with onion, cilantro and salsa, Cambodian “bai cha” fried rice with egg, carrots, green beans, lime, cilantro and Thai basil and lemongrass tea provided by the culinary arts department.
The band Hermanos Molina Vargas consisting of Nayeli Molina Vargas, right, John Molina Vargas, left, and Jorge Molina Vargas perform “Te Esperare” and an Ecuadorian waltz by Julio Jaramillo during Long Beach City College’s International Cultural Festival on Nov. 19. The group became a crowd favorite, and gave an encore for a second song. (Isaiah Ryan)
“We want to expose students to cultural comfort foods that remind them of home or places they visit. … One of the things that I am most proud of is having the opportunity to expose students not only to the program, but to different foods they may not have tasted before. Seeing students crawl at the beginning and run at the end is enlightening“ Juan Lopez, an assistant culinary arts professor said regarding students both making and trying new dishes.
Performances included an Uyghur Ethnic Drum dance by Ling’s Dance Academy, Cambodian Peacock Dance by Khmer Culture and Arts Association of California, “Binasuan”, a Filipino folk dance by Pinaypages and Cambodian Blessing Dance by Mera Dance Troupe.
Members of Pinaypages, representing the Philippines, perform Tinikling, the national folk dance that imitates the movements of the tikling bird as it avoids bamboo traps, with dancers stepping between clapping bamboo poles in a display of agility and endurance at Long Beach City College’s International Cultural Festival on Nov. 19. (Isaiah Ryan)
“We have some great cultural performances and our culinary department has prepared foods from about five different countries,” said Nina Richardson, Director of International Studies.
Attendees had the opportunity to place their ancestral roots on a map using a colored sticker to identify the over 30 cultures represented at the festival.
“It’s amazing and looks nice and each year it gets better and better with all the decorations and the atmosphere. It feels like an international market, … I encourage them (students) to get involved, to learn, but also travel to undeveloped countries, so when you go there you see how people are living with limited resources, but live happily.” Cambodia Town Chair Sithea San said.
The event allowed over 20 clubs and organizations to showcase many different countries that make up the student body through fundraising and program opportunities.
The crowd cheers after the band Hermanos Molina Vargas performed “Te Esperare” and an Ecuadorian waltz by Julio Jaramillo during Long Beach City College’s International Cultural Festival on Nov. 19. (Isaiah Ryan)
“What has been successful is the teamwork, help from the volunteers and the clubs that arrived on time to help set up the event. I am just expecting people to have fun today,” International Students Club President James Trinh said.
Chai tea cookies, Russian layered honey cake with sweet sour cream filling, Japanese coffee jello with condensed milk, Mexican pan dulce were some desserts made and sold by clubs.
The chai tea cookies infused with cinnamon and nutmeg, Thai tea cookies with white chocolate, and matcha cookies were sold by the Asian Pacific Islander and Desi Club.
“We want to showcase and highlight APID flavors,” said Raeven Ramos, president of the Asian Pacific Islander and Desi Club.
The event was co-sponsored for the second year by the Sister Cities of Long Beach, a non-profit organization that promotes international partnerships with cities around the world and offers students the opportunities to learn through their Digital Pen Pal Program, Youth Artists and Authors Showcase and foreign exchange opportunities.
“We are promoting peace through people and diplomacy, “ Sister Cities of Long Beach Chairman of the Board Richer San said.
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