University of North Texas to celebrate International Week

What: International Week: Celebration of World Cultures – An annual event at the University of North Texas to showcase the culture, music, food, fashion and festivals of UNT’s international students, who represent approximately 120 nations.

When: April 3-8 (Monday through Saturday)

Events: Include flag processional of international students in their native costumes and opening ceremony on Monday, April 3; World Cultures Fair and Market on Monday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4; Sakura, a Japanese cherry blossom festival, on Wednesday, April 5; International Food Fair and World Cultures Performance and Fashion Festival on Thursday, April 6; and Basant Panchami, a kite flying festival, on Saturday, April 8. A complete list of events is available at http://www.international.unt.edu/welcome/intlweek/2005/index.html . Cost: Events listed above are free except for International Food Fair, which charges 25 cents per food coupon. Contact: Olga Grieco, UNT International Welcome Center, (940) 369-8625.

DENTON (UNT), Texas – Dance performances, a fashion show, foreign cuisine and spring festivals from two different nations are among the activities scheduled for International Week: Celebration of World Cultures, an annual event at the University of North Texas.

This year’s International Week activities begin April 3 (Monday) and end April 8 (Saturday). UNT international students from approximately 120 nations will display their culture during the week. The events that are open to the public, which are free unless otherwise stated, include:

April 3 (Monday)

11:30 a.m.- Native dress and flag processional. Dressed in costumes from their native countries and carrying their nations flags, UNT’s international students will process from Kendall Hall, located on the southwest corner of Avenue A and Highland Street on the UNT campus, to the Shrader Pavillion, located on the west side of the University Union. The union is one block west of Welch and West Prairie Streets. UNT’s international students will process to the drumbeats of the College of Music’s African Ensemble.

Noon – International Week opening ceremony, led by Denton Mayor Euline Brock and UNT Provost Howard Johnson and featuring live music by Liquid Bounce.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. – World Cultures Fair and Market. Vendors and students will display and sell jewelry, clothing, crafts, music and other items from different nations. Outside the Shrader Pavilion.

April 3-6 (Monday-Thursday)

8 a.m.-10 p.m. – International Student Art Exhibit. Union Art Gallery, third floor of the University Union. Opening reception is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 3 (Monday).

April 4 (Tuesday)

11 a.m.-2 p.m.- World Cultures Fair and Market. Continues in the One O’Clock Lounge, first floor of the University Union.

April 5 (Wednesday)

2 p.m.- 4 p.m. – Sakura Festival. A Japanese cherry blossom festival with traditional Japanese dances, music and food. East side of the General Academic Building, which is located on the southeast corner of Avenue B and West Mulberry Street.

7 p.m. – Film, “Hawaii, Oslo.” This 2004 film was Norway’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2005 Academy Awards. As Oslo suffers through the hottest day of the year, the paths of several strangers cross. The strangers include a faded, suicidal singer; two long-lost lovers; and a married couple who are told that their first child may not have a long life. Room 120, Chilton Hall, southwest corner of Avenue C and Chestnut Street.

April 6 (Thursday)

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – International Food Fair. Food from 25 to 30 nations will be sold via coupons costing 25 cents each. Baptist Student Union, directly across from the University Union on the east side.

7 p.m. – World Cultures Performance and Fashion Festival. The event will feature international students displaying their national costumes as well as students dancing, performing music and demonstrating martial arts. Main Auditorium, UNT Auditorium Building, West Hickory Street between Avenues A and B.

For a complete schedule of International Week events, go to http://www.international.unt.edu/welcome/intlweek/2005/index.html and click on Schedule of Events.

For more information about the events, call the UNT International Welcome Center at (940) 369-8625.