Charlottesville, Virginia (April 24, 2008)- The Charlottesville Festival of Cultures marks its 5th year of celebrating diversity in the community on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 10 am – 4 pm with cultural exhibits, live dance and music performances, vendors, crafts for kids, and delicious ethnic foods. The Festival takes place in Lee Park, on the corner of Market St. and Second St. NE. Admission is free.

The Festival of Cultures is a colorful celebration where people come together to learn about the cultural and linguistic diversity in the area in a respectful and fun environment. Charlottesville is home to people from at least 30 nations and over 50 languages are spoken here. Many of these cultures will be represented at the festival, including India, Appalachia, Nicaragua, Togo, and many, many more.

The performances, crafts, and exhibits at the Festival of Cultures spring from all corners of the globe. Pick up your passport at the information booth and begin your travels! You will be welcomed by people from a variety of cultures with exhibits that include native costumes, flags, art, and photos. With activities suited for all ages and all-day entertainment that can be seen nowhere else, the Festival of Cultures presents a rare chance to travel the world without leaving Charlottesville. For more information, call 434-245-2819 or go to Festival of Cultures. Charlottesville Map to Lee Park

The 5th annual Charlottesville Festival of Cultures is organized by Charlottesville City Schools Adult Learning Center with support from several organizations and individuals. The Adult Learning Center is a non-profit school organization providing basic skills, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language classes to adults in the community.

What is the Charlottesville Festival of Cultures?

The Charlottesville Festival of Cultures is a celebration of the linguistic and cultural diversity in our community. The Festival of Cultures serves to increase awareness of this diversity in a respectful environment and to provide an opportunity for building a bridge of communication between newcomers and established residents. The Festival of Cultures organizers envision the Festival as a ‘gathering place’ where all can come together to celebrate, take pride in, and share the multiple cultures found here.

Specifically, at the Festival, you can span the globe with an array of entertainment, cultural booths, information booths, hands-on crafts and activities, and vendors. It is a fun, free, family event.

How did the Festival of Cultures begin?

The Festival of Cultures began, as most things do, with an idea and a realization. The idea was that new immigrants and refugees have both much to learn about our community and also much to share with our community. The realization was that many Charlottesvillians did not recognize that their home town was also home to newcomers from so many different countries: Charlottesville is home to people from at least 30 nations; over 50 different languages are spoken here.

Our first Festival took place in May of 2004 in Lee Park, downtown Charlottesville. Those who attended learned about and appreciated the vast diversity and common interests. People sang and danced together; children played together. Newcomers learned about services offered to them in the community; the Festival also satisfied an articulated need to give back to the community by sharing their culture and talents.

Who organizes the Festival of Cultures?

The Festival is organized by the Charlottesville City Schools Adult Education Program.

Highlight of Festival Events:

More than 20 countries/cultures represented – all members of the Charlottesville area community

Country/culture booths

Hands-on activities (ethnic crafts and games)

Food and craft vendors

Live entertainment (music, song, and dance) all day

Storytelling

Resource agency information booths

Raffles with great prizes

Passports that can be stamped by each country booth you visit and learn about