South Asia Night has been a tradition at MSU since 1993. Before this all the countries of South Asia used to have their own events. Since then, these Nights have been consolidated into South Asia Night.
The Night follows a Dinner-Entertainment format. There are usually performances ranging from songs and plays to dances and video projections. Students also cook indigenous meals for the attendees using spices native to their homelands.
The Nights usually see about 350 community members attending the shows and these events are looked forward to every year. It is an immense opportunity to project one's own culture to others and break stereotypes. A lot of the audience is comprised of teenagers and young children who show an active interest in learning about other cultures. This is also a time for the community of South Asian Students to come together and share the message of tolerance, friendship and harmony among themselves.
We also have students from other schools come to MSU to watch us perform and in turn, our students get invited to perform at these universities at their events.
Minnesota State Mankato's Korean student population along with other international students will provide an evening with entertainment, dancing, skits and a complete menu of Korean Dishes.
Minnesota State Mankato's largest international student population will provide an evening of entertainment of music, dance and skits, along with a complete menu of Nepali dishes.
African Night is evening of cultural celebration. The festivities include African performances, authentic gourmet food, and distinguished speakers. The performances consist of African dances, poetry citation, video or power point presentation, and a play depicting African life in Africa or abroad. The night celebrates diversity of the African people and displays collaboration, friendship and unity. The African Student Association's members come together to plan, organize, and execute the whole evening. The students exhibit leadership, commitment, and professionalism in bringing this event to fruitation annually. The students take great responsibility in sharing their culture to promote peace, understanding, and mutual respect.
The event has grown in popularity in recent years. On average, about 350 to 400 of students, staff, faculty, and the greater community come to enjoy the evening. The guests have come to expect a beautiful showcase of African diversity like dazzling fashion, moving performances, and amazing speakers. Additionally, after the formal celebration, there is social dance party with a DJ which brings the evening to a close.
International students with the support of the International Student Association, Kearney International Center and their Nationality groups will share their culture with everyone on-campus throughout the semester. Over the past we have had, Japanese Cultural Charisma, Nepali Students Cultural Charisma. Students have shared their popular movies, Tea desserts and artifacts from their countries. For information on Cultural Charisma events will be posted once they are scheduled.
Monday-Friday, November 16-20
Centennial Student Union
A series of events to highlight diversity at Minnesota State Mankato and in the greater Mankato community. Watch for posters.
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mankato East High School
The Festival is Minnesota State Mankato's largest International Event. It celebrates diversity and culture from around the world and within the Mankato community. The International Festival will include such activities as a flag parade, singing, dancing, a style show, food booths, cultural displays, children's area for making crafts, a silent auction to raise funds for the International Festival and vendors selling cultural items.
This event provides a common message of peace, harmony and friendship. It also gives an opportunity for attendees to experience many cultures under a single roof.
Sunday, April 11th, 2010 at Mankato Area Public Schools' East High School from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
2009 Schedule
| 11:00 pm |
Festival opens Food, Cultural Booths, Commercial Vendors, Children's World, & Silent Auction Traditional Dakota Purification Ceremony |
|
11:30 pm |
Entertainment begins in auditorium |
|
12:00 pm |
Flag parade |
|
12:30 pm and |
Special performance |
|
1:00 pm |
Taekwondo demonstration |
|
2:15 pm |
International fashion show |
|
3:30 pm |
Silent auction closes |
|
4:00 pm |
Festival closes |
The International Festival is organized jointly by International Center, International Student Association, Mankato Area Schools/Colleges, and Mankato Area International Community every year during the spring semester. This year's Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 19th from 11:00 am-4:00 p.m. Over the years, the Festival has grown to be a highly anticipated event in Southern Minnesota with attendance in the thousands. Our mission remains to encourage, sponsor, and support cultural appreciation and diversity within the Mankato area. Admission, entertainment and parking are free!
The event will include such activities as a flag parade, entertainment with singing & dancing, a style show, food booths, cultural displays, a children's area for making crafts, a silent auction to raise funds for the International Festival, and vendors selling various cultural items.
This event provides a common message of peace, harmony and friendship. It also gives an opportunity for attendees to experience various cultures under a single roof. We hope you join us!
[PDF] 2009 Free Shuttle Schedule (14 KiB)
[PDF] Additional information from 2008 (49 KiB)
Television News Coverage on 4/22/07
[PDF] 2007 Program (462 KiB)
[PDF] 2007 Press Release (20 KiB)
[PDF] 2007 Poster (2.79 MiB)
[PDF] Centered Magazine Advertisement (189 KiB)
[PDF] Free Shuttle Schedule (11 KiB)
Minnesota State Mankato's Japanese student population along with other international students will provide an evening with entertainment, dancing, skits and a complete menu of Japanese Dishes. We will provide more information once they have been scheduled.
International Students and their nationality student groups will participate in Mavericks After Dark events. Typically students will participate in showing off their culture to students between 8pm to midnight. Over the past semesters students have had food booths, souvenirs booths, cultural events and activities, movie nights and many more. We strongly encourage all students to participate in these events and activities. More information about Mavericks After Dark events is available online
