Spanning the globe

Wednesday, 5/7/97 Spanning the globe Eight months and hundreds
of hours of work have culminated with WorldFest ’97, bringing
cultures of the world to the UCLA community

Linda Yoon Daily Bruin Contributor Westwood Plaza has turned
into a stage for many cultures of the world to perform on in UCLA’s
eighth-annual WorldFest celebration. After eight months of
preparation, WorldFest 1997 finally premiered Saturday with the
UCLA Pow Wow, a Mariachi band and even a performance by the
Cambodian Traditional Orchestra. "It was a lot of work, but I think
we’re all really happy that (WorldFest) is finally coming
together," said David Wong, a sixth-year business economics student
and a volunteer organizer and designer of WorldFest. "We’re seeing
a tangible result of eight months of our effort come together in
something that everyone can enjoy," he said. The smooth progress of
the event was not without its sacrifices. The core staff was
composed of eight volunteer students, all of whom put in the hours
of a full-time job. "We all worked 40 hours a week for the past
three weeks. For me, school has become the extracurricular
activity, and WorldFest is what I’m doing now," Wong said.
Previously, the core staff of the program had consisted of 15 or
more volunteers. "We were always wondering why people didn’t come
back," Wong said. In addition to the shortage of manpower this
year, WorldFest must also compete with campus construction. "We
were basically counting on construction being finished by May 5,
but that didn’t happen," said Genevieve Lau, a third-year American
literature student and co-director of WorldFest. The construction
on Bruin Walk prevents students from taking a direct route from the
dormitories to Westwood Plaza, which is where most of the WorldFest
performances are held. "Traffic doesn’t pass by right in front of
Westwood Plaza like it normally does … and people tend to go the
other way instead of coming to the events, which kind of hurts the
performances," Lau said. Arts and crafts vendors are also involved
in Worldfest, and construction constricts their space and
crowd-drawing potential. "It can’t be helped, but construction
isn’t too bad," Lau said. "Monday’s turnout wasn’t too bad
considering construction. We were hoping for a lot more, actually.
"I’m hoping as the week goes on, word of mouth spreads around and
we can pass more flyers and brochures. Hopefully, people will turn
out for it because we’d really love to have everyone there," she
said. Despite the small staff and on-going construction, WorldFest
appeared to be a success with the students who participated so far
this week. "This is my first time coming to WorldFest, and I think
it’s a lot of fun. It’s really interesting to see the traditions of
other cultures," said Shabira Merchant, a first-year undeclared
student. Although Merchant had been unaware of the event until she
spotted a WorldFest advertisement Tuesday, she is eager to see more
of the performances held this week. Lau also noticed that students
who attended the noon performances were optimistic about the
performers and WorldFest. "Students’ reactions were positive, and
the responses (to the cultural events) were enthusiastic," Lau
said. "A lot of people were clapping, observing and absorbing,
which is what our goal is. We want to expose people to things
they’ve never heard or seen before," she said. Wong adds that
WorldFest is not only a source of entertainment, but also an
opportunity for students to open their minds and expand their
horizons. "We don’t want people to be just culturally more aware,"
he said. "We want them to be aware of how special having diversity
around is and how weird it would be if everyone was the same." Wong
emphasizes the importance of recognizing similarities between
cultures and to acknowledge the common ground all cultures share.
"Everyone is human, and everyone should just be with one another
and not to look at how different everyone is. WorldFest is about
being together." WorldFest program brochures are available around
campus and in Kerckhoff 306. (left) Limpopo Folk and Roll
entertains the crowd at WorldFest ’97 in Westwood Plaza. (below)
University Elementary School student Aeryl, 8, listens to the
Limpopo Folk and Roll band with other children. (bottom) Keith
Alston completes a henna tattoo on fourth-year English student Dani
Nguyen. JANA BONDERMAN Second-year art student Allyson Flaster
browses through garments made of antique saris at Worldfest ’97.
JANA BONDERMAN Keith Alston completes a henna tattoo on fourth year
English student Dani Nguyen at Worldfest ’97. CRISTINA ESPIRITU
University Elementary School student Aeryl, 8, listens to the
Limpopo Folk and Roll band with other children. Previous Daily
Bruin stories Worldfest