International Food and Culture Festival Sunday expecting 2,500

By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications

KEARNEY – International students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will prepare authentic dishes from their countries for up to 2,500 people at the Scott D. Morris International Food and Cultural Festival.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday (March 8) in the Health and Sports Center.

“Getting to know different cultures and people from different countries broadens your view. That’s really important,” said Ruiko Saji, a junior travel and tourism major from Japan and public relations officer for the International Student Association.

Students representing Nepal, India, Japan, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Colombia, Bahamas and Mexico will participate in the event.

Among the dishes being served are kidney beans curry from Nepal, chicken curry from India, falafel from Saudi Arabia, bulgogi Korean barbeque beef from South Korea and teriyaki chicken and edamame from Japan.

Students from each country will make up to three dishes.

“It’s good for students from Nebraska to get involved. It’s a chance to try food from different countries and see cultural performances,” Saji said.

The festival will feature performances by students and booths with traditional games, calligraphy, origami and other activities.

“Diversity is important. A lot of people here are scared of talking to international students. They think we won’t understand. I hope that this event shows them not to be scared,” Saji said. “We are fun, we are interesting. We may not speak good English, but we will try.”

The event is sponsored by Scott Morris of Morris Press in Kearney, and complimentary cookbooks featuring over 150 international dishes will be available.

The event is organized by the International Student Association.

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Source: Ruiko Saji, 308.224.1515, sajir2@lopers.unk.edu
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu