Monday, October 10, 2022

UNCW’s Intercultural Festival, “iFest,” is returning after a two-year hiatus.

Sponsored by the Office of International Students and Scholars, the festival celebrates the university’s international community through the arts, food and information booths. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Burney Center on the UNCW campus.

iFest fosters a sense of global community and promotes and encourages cultural understanding and appreciation. The event is free and open to the public.

“This event is a fantastic representation of part of UNCW’s mission, that our culture reflects our values of diversity and globalization,” said John Larkins, program coordinator for the Office of International Students & Scholars. “Students study abroad all over the world to experience different cultures through amazing experiences, but this event shows the presence of so many unique cultures and experiences right at home.”

With such a long hiatus, the iFest is an excellent opportunity for the university’s international community to reintroduce itself to campus and the Wilmington community at large, said Larkins. This year, 24 countries will be represented at the festival.

“Since the last event in 2019, we have an almost completely new international population,” he added. “While some of the same countries will be represented as in the past, new students will share their experiences with us.”

Festival organizers are seeking volunteers and country booth representatives. Presenters do not have to be UNCW students to participate. Those interested in participating can contact Larkins at larkinsj@uncw.edu. For more information, visit the iFest website.

-- Venita Jenkins
#OISS