Bowling Green’s annual International Festival took place on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Circus Square Park. Attendees poured in as music from across the world showcased cultural pride.
(From left) Isabel Rodriguez, Noemi Leyva-Villanueva, Raquel Levya and Joana Moreno congregate outside Leyva-Villanueva's booth at the International Festival at Circus Square Park on Saturday, Sept. 27. (Photo by Megan Geisler)
Angela Jones, information booth supervisor and former WKU professor, said the festival had originated as a fusion of other cultural celebrations.
“There were different festivals that were specific to a particular ethnicity, like JapanFest, that existed before,” Jones said. “Those festivals rolled together to make a unique festival for everybody.”
According to its website, the festival has hosted an event every year since its inception in 1989.
Jones said the event grew significantly over her 19 years of volunteer work. She said this caused the festival to relocate from Fountain Square Park to Circus Square Park.
“We outgrew that space, and moved to Circus Square after it opened up,” Jones said. “It’s really supersized from how it was when I first got started in 2006.”
M’munga Hamisi, who owns the Sud Kivu International Market, said that he and his family were making their debut as vendors for the festival this year. He also said the food offered at his stand was a combination of Congolese and Tanzanian cuisine.
“I wanted to bring a little flavor from my community and just share my culture,” Hamisi said.
Hamisi said he and his family have been attending the International Festival for 10 years. He also said that his mother performed as a dancer in 2015.
“It’s a great experience, with great people,” Hamisi said.
Tony Lindsey, owner of Lindsey Production Group, said his company had been operating the festival’s sound for three years. He said his eight-person crew manages four sound systems at once during the event.
“It’s a great thing for Bowling Green,” Lindsey said. “It gives people from other countries a chance to showcase some of their music and art.”
Naomi Leyva, who ran a booth displaying Mexican culture, said that this year marked her fourth year participating in the event.
“I get to see all kinds of cultures from all around the world and it’s amazing,” Leyva said.
Leyva said she moved to Bowling Green five years ago after living in Texas for most of her life. She said her community in Texas was shaped by Mexican culture, which gave her an appreciation for her grandparents’ homeland.
“Each one of Mexico’s states has its own food, dress, dance and songs,” Leyva said. “They have their own everything, like a little world.”
Leyva said the International Festival and other celebrations like it are essential in the modern day.
“I get to see cultures from all around the world and I love it,” Leyva said. “Especially right now, with what we’re going through as a country, with so much division and hate, it’s just beautiful.”