HFC’s annual cultural event, Globe Fest took place on Wednesday, April 13, in the Student and Culinary Arts Center (Bld. M). Globe Fest is a celebration of world cultures highlighted by delicious food, exciting entertainment, and an abundance of information on select countries. Sponsored by the Council of World Cultures (CWC), Globe Fest is coordinated by HFC student clubs.

This year’s participating clubs were the African American Association, Amnesty International, Community Service Club, International Student Organization, Muslim Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Yemen Student Association.

The select countries were Ghana, Egypt, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Brazil, and India. “Globe Fest is an exciting event for students. Students enjoy learning from one another. I love organizing the event with the student clubs because it brings so many people and cultures together, and I’m absolutely amazed by students’ creative ideas,” states Cassandra Fluker, Student Activities Officer. “The purpose of Globe Fest is to celebrate the many cultures of HFC students as a means of respecting and learning to appreciate cultures other than their own.”

The presentation for Ghana was a colorful event, including a performance by Kofi & Friends, who performed music with original instruments from the country. Brought by the Muslim Student Association, Layalina performed an interactive dabke dance, which allowed students and visitors to join and experience the culture of Syria.

Another aspect of the event was a competition among the student clubs for Best Representation of their select country. The first place winner, Yemen Student Association, representing India, received an award and Tim Hortons gift cards for each member of the club. Part of their presentation was a traditional Indian dance and an incredible display of India, including a statue of Gandhi. Second place went to Phi Theta Kappa, representing Brazil, whose members dressed as a Brazilian soccer team. They also presented a Brazilian parrot and martial arts dancers.

The International Student Organization, representing the UAE, placed third, and the Muslim Student Association (MSA), representing Syria received an honorable mention. Bashair Pasha, MSA Secretary, said the event holds an important place in the HFC campus culture. “It lets all the students present all the hard work they’re doing for the student body, and allows them to be part of an accepting community,” she added. Attendees were greeted by club members dressed in native garments such as caftans and gallibayas.

A staple of the event was the cuisine. Food, representative of each country, was available for purchase. Coffee, hummus, fattoush salad, koshery, jollof rice, tidbits, falafel, and kibbeh were all part of the delicious cuisine for all to taste. Globe Fest also serves as a fundraiser for the CWC International Student Scholarship, which the food proceeds were donated. With the end of the program, many attendees expressed their anticipation for next year’s event.