Celebrating Diversity at Valparaiso’s World Cultural Festival

Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso transformed into a vibrant hub of global cultures during the annual World Cultural Festival. Hosted by the Valparaiso International Center, the event presented a unique opportunity to experience traditions from different parts of the world.

Tiger Kumar’s Musical Journey

Tiger Kumar, a 16-year-old from Valparaiso, has had a long-standing interest in the Chinese zither since he first encountered it at the festival many years ago. Kumar has shown remarkable progress, winning a gold medal in an international competition in China. “Sourcing a quality zither and replacement strings from China is key as good ones are hard to find here,” Kumar shared. He explained the basic technique involves plucking strings, but advanced playing necessitates further training. Currently, he is pursuing online lessons, and planning to launch a group named ‘Resonance’ at the Valparaiso Public Library to connect multiple generations through music.

Performances That Enliven the Spirit

The festival featured an array of performances, including an on-stage show by Baba Yaga’s Stew. Despite wet weather, the audience remained enthusiastic, cheering under umbrellas and during the encore beneath the Urschel Pavilion roof. The ensemble included Lucia Thomas on violin from Chicago, Dianna Davis on accordion from Indianapolis, and Mehtab Kirtan on cajon from Evanston. The cajon, originally from Peru, is widely utilized across Central America now.

“It’s been wonderful to perform here,” Thomas noted, appreciating the crowd’s enthusiasm.

Baba Yaga’s Stew embraces a mix of music to celebrate immigrant communities. Thomas shared, “Music from around the world is special to us. We strive to bring our unique interpretation to various styles.” Kirtan observed young performers, expressing positivity about the youth representing diverse cultures, ensuring traditions endure over time. Reflecting on her musical journey, Davis recalled her transition from piano, studied in school, to accordion, a suggestion from a friend that has allowed her to travel extensively.

Celebrating Cultural Traditions

The festival also featured Ananya Kar from Indianapolis, performing a dance to honor Kali, a Hindu goddess symbolizing the divine feminine. Kar sees the dance as deeply spiritual with psychological depth, aiming to forge emotional connections with audiences. Her extensive 15-year career reflects her commitment to this art form. She commended the festival as “a wonderful amalgamation of all the different cultures” and highlighted the shared theme of hospitality that transcends borders.

Diverse Marketplace and Collaboration

Jim Goetsch from Fort Wayne represented the Third World Shoppe, showcasing a variety of fair trade products benefiting low-income families globally. He described a diverse range of offerings, from toy birds made in Nepal aiding disaster recovery to olive wood crafts supporting livelihoods in Israel and Palestine. Each product tells a unique story of community effort and creativity, such as Mexican gourd bobbleheads predicting earthquakes.

Francesco DeNicolo, an Italian-born resident of Valparaiso, displayed his artistic talents through a booth offering art themed T-shirts, hats, and calendars. Beyond this, he aspires to establish a gallery and offer art lessons, drawing inspiration from having his works displayed worldwide.

Honoring International Communities

Antonio Perez, originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, led the parade of nations waving the Mexican flag, celebrating cultural diversity in Northwest Indiana where he settled 36 years ago. Meanwhile, Charles “Big Tiny” Canty represented Nigeria, noting changes in diversity he has observed over the past twenty-five years. He reflected positively on Valparaiso’s multicultural transformation.

The World Cultural Festival, rich in exchanges of traditions, performances, and community support, serves as a beautiful affirmation of Valparaiso’s diverse and inclusive spirit.