Festival Celebrates Multi-cultures

Mexico, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan Represented

FARMINGTON — Many cultures came together Friday night at the Event Center in Farmington.

This was the second annual International Food Festival and the event was sponsored by Project Identity of NWA and Gamma Eta Sorority at the University of Arkansas.

“We want to spread cultural awareness in a fun, positive way,” said Rona Luong, chairwoman of Project Identity, a non-profit organization that was started in February by a group of seven people.

“People are so busy today that they've drifted away from knowing themselves,” Luong added.

The festival featured Mexican,

Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and Taiwan food vendors, a talent show and a cultural fashion show. The fashion show included clothing from Hmong, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Vietnam, Spain and Argentina.

Abdullah Bin Jabr and Ghalib Mobaraki are UA students from Saudi Arabia and participated in the fashion show. Mobaraki said they wear their traditional dress every day to class and it's the normal clothes for people living in Saudi Arabia. The students are part of the Spring International program with the UA and will return home when they finish their studies.

He explained that the red and white headpiece they wear is called a “Deshadash.” The black band around the headpiece is an “Eqal” and the white gown is called a “Thob.”

Mobaraki said he wants to teach others about Saudi Arabia's traditional dress but also wants to learn about other cultures.

“In America there are many strange people from other areas. It's cool to show all of it and be together,” Mobaraki said.

Xong Lor was born in Laos and now works for the UA'S pre-college program.

She was a member of Gamma Eta Sorority, which is a multi-cultural sorority with sisters from many backgrounds.

Lor said the sorority includes members from Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Cuba. Other girls are caucasian and AfricanAmerican.

Like others at the food festival, Lor said the event gave groups the opportunity to educate others about different cultures.

“I love this,” Lor said.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Rona Luong, chairwoman of Project Identity of NWA, and Sarah Kraus, whose parents were born in Laos, look over Arudo Yat beads. The bead bracelets and necklaces are made by former child slaves and all proceeds from the necklaces are returned to help...