UM international festival serves up
world culture, cuisine in 80 flavors
Anyone who's ever wanted to taste real Black Forest cake, see live belly dancing, learn how to put on a kimono or just escape to a faraway place at almost no cost will get the chance Sunday, March 28, when the International Food and Culture Festival takes over the University Center at The University of Montana.

Foods of other countries are a festival favorite.

Sponsored by the International Student Association, the festival, "Around the World in 80 Flavors," will be a melange of attractions for all members of the community. It's scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m., starting with a parade in the University Center led by Japanese students with taiko drums. UM President George Dennison will give a welcoming address at 2:30 p.m. The event is free, although a $1 donation will be appreciated.

Members of the Missoula community will be part of the event as well, providing Scottish bagpipes and Norwegian folk dance performances, among other things.

As always, the food will be a big attraction, with more than 45 countries represented. From spicy Thai chicken or vegetarian Indian dishes to Black Forest cake from Germany, it will be there for the tasting at not-for-profit prices.

"Students really put their hearts into this," festival coordinator Mona Mondava said. "They call home for the favorite family recipe from grandma and have special ingredients imported to make sure it is totally authentic."

Sumo-wrestling was popular at last year's festival. (UM photo by Jasmin Shah)

But the food is just the frosting on the cake, she said. The festival will provide an afternoon of fun, with Latin American guitar music, Japanese and Chinese songs offered by students wearing traditional dress, and Malaysian and Indian instrumental music played on instruments from those countries. There will be dancing from all over the world, and international dress will go on parade in the World Costumes Show.

Back this year will be the ever-popular Children's World Festival, offering sumo-wrestling, henna hand painting, Hawaiian face painting, origami lessons and mask making of animals from around the world. A traditional Japanese fairy tale, "The Peach Boy," will be staged as a puppet show.

The festival will kick off International Week at UM. Public events are scheduled throughout the week, including a soccer tournament, films and lectures.

The Japan Festival will take place in conjunction with the International Food and Culture Festival at the University Center the same day.

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