FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - Students, staff, and faculty at the University of Findlay came together Friday evening to celebrate all cultures throughout campus.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the university's "International Night" cultural festival returned to campus and allowed fellow students and community members to learn about the various cultures present at the University of Findlay. Booths representing various countries were created and featured country staples, traditions, cuisines, activities, and performances. With 47 countries making up the student body, university officials say creating a culture where all cultures are accepted is important.
"One thing I often times talk about is that if we don't create a culture where everyone's culture will be appreciated and respected, they will start hiding their own culture which we don't want. We want people, we want our students, we want our community people to share their cultural traditions by saying 'I am from such and such,' and that is this event will help all of us achieve that goal," says Dr. Hiro Kawamura, Faculty, University of Findlay.
Also at "International Night" was Hiroshige Kato, a 12th-generation Japanese potter whose family has been crafting authentic Japanese pottery for over 350 years. On campus, Kato sculpted traditional Japanese tableware pottery through hand pinching, wheel throwing, and coil making. The University of Findlay has celebrated global cultures through "International Night" for over 50 years.
