Special Report: Festival of Nations 2003

Another successful portrayal of beauty within diversity, and an exciting celebration of cultures occurred this weekend at the 2003 Fesitval of Nations held at the Excel Center in downtown St. Paul. Children and adults alike were able to watch and participate in activities such as Chinese Calligraphy, Ecuadorian Loom Weaving, International Flag Making, Ukranian Egg Decorating and so much more. For those who preferred to remain spectators, there was ongoing entertainment such as the African Stilt Dancer, with his colorful rainbow of a costume, and the beautiful Chinese Mandolin player who entranced with the style and grace of a beautiful swan. For those who like to shop, the International Bazaar was filled with the delights of Bolivia, Egypt, Korea and Poland; all alongside 44 other countries with goods to sell. Hand-woven bags and sweaters, colorful scarves to wrap your head, neck or waist, toys to spread smiles among the children's faces were all at your fingertips to take home from exotic places. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the menu for the day was filled with Luleh Kebob, a seasoned meat on a skewer from Armenia, rice and yogurt wrapped in grape leaves called Dolmathes from Greece, Tagine stew from Morocco and Taiwanese cheese puffs. 33 countries offered travelers tasty treats to nourish and replenish throughout the weekend.

The most beautiful event of the entire weekend was the overall result of different nations under one roof celebrating and sharing the beauty of their homelands. The children enraptured at another's colorful dress, trying on scarves to make them more beautiful, looking in the mirror at themselves, giggling excitedly. Sounds of crowds ooing and ahhhing at the Fantasy Dreamaker. Masaji Terasawa, ripping and tearing at what looks like newspaper, as he flips his wrist and it is now a long sword. Looking at the sea of beautiful, colorful faces mingled together in peaceful harmony, watching exhausted happy children in the arms of their parents exiting, leaves only one regret: that the festival of nations only occurs once a year.

--TamaLin Fox