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Traditional music, arts, dance and food from around the world was the order of the day during the Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival at the University of Iowa in Iowa City on Sunday.
Several thousand visitors sampled traditional foods from an array of cultures, tried new dance steps and listened to musical performances. Families were in abundance at the kid-friendly event which included performances and demonstrations from Filipino, Argentinian, Turkish, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, and American singers, dancers, and martial artists.
Turkish, Mexican and Indian music and dance videos are below the foldA balladeer from Columbus Junction, Iowa, by way of Chiautla, Mexico, Valentin Ruiz dedicated this song, “Una Cartita,” to his two daughters:
Ruiz is an organizer of the Hispanic Cultural Festival held annually in Columbus Junction.
Another musician, Bahri Karacay, played Turkish songs on the festival’s World Stage.
A pediatric neurologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Karacay played an eight-stringed lute-like instrument called a saz with his band Turkana.
He translated his song’s lyrics, which he said was about the end of a relationship:
Although I miss your beautiful smile and the way you used to tell me you love me, I am very happy now. I cannot be with you anymore because I learned how to laugh. I can’t cry anymore.
The Noopur Dance Troupe entertained with Indian dances on the festival main stage. Here is one of their dance performances:
Here is another Ruiz song, with scenes from the event, which was held in the University of Iowa Field House.
Find out more at the festival website: http://www.uiowa.edu…
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