Students share cultures

Oct. 20--Entertainment as diverse as Afro-Brazilian drumming

The celebration, which ends Thursday, includes more than 40 musical performances, workshops, lectures and wellness activities.

"During this week, we celebrate the richness of the many cultures here at the university, and it is an opportunity for diversity to shine throughout the campus and the Morgantown community," said Jennifer McIntosh, executive director of the WVU President's Office for Social Justice.

This year's focus is on building an inclusive community. It is a collaboration of the WVU President's Office for Social Justice, Monongalia County School System and the city of Morgantown.

Events actually kicked off Saturday, with Tarang, a celebration of Indian culture in honor of the Diwali -- also known as the festival of lights.

"In India, Diwali is typically celebrated during the fall season -- on the day of festival, people traditionally light 'diyas' or earthen lamps in their homes and conduct 'pujas' or prayer ceremonies. They also get together with family and friends, exchange gifts and share their meals," said Mayuri Mukherjee, public relations coordinator for the WVU Indian Students Association.

"The greater significance of Diwali goes beyond its religious concerns and lies in its celebration of the universal values that have united societies for centuries -- peace, love and goodness."

Other events include:

Today, 11:30 a.m., a peace tree ceremony outside Martin Hall/Woodburn Circle. Native drumming will be featured, along with an appearance by Thunder, a bald eagle from the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., The Women of Color luncheon in the Mountainlair Ballrooms, with entertainment by the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Sadie Gregory of Coppin State University.

Thursday, 10 a.m., representatives from Hearts of Gold, a seeingeye dog service, will demonstrate how Golden Retrievers are trained to help accommodate the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired; 11 a.m. WVU Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy will host a diversity fair in the Health Sciences Commons Area; 7:30 p.m., steel drum concert in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. It is free and open to the public.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day, Amizade is sponsoring "Inclusive Art across Cultures: Make Art, Get Art," at the free speech area (Rain location: Mountainlair, in front of Hatfields).

The program challenges one to draw or paint with a limitation intended to simulate the limitations that people with disabilities overcome everyday. Participants will be rewarded with hand-made cards that benefit children with disabilities in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

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