For the second year, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) hosted the Global Falcon Fest in the Perry Field House on March 21. Community members were invited to partake in dances, food and hands-on activities to learn about various cultures.
The office of International Programs & Partnerships hosted the event, putting together multiple moving parts to make it a successful day. Director Dr. Tracy Hidalgo and her office worked together to help make the fest possible.
“Our office worked tirelessly for the last few months putting together the pieces of the event. We got a lot of support from the campus and from the BGSU community,” Hidalgo said.
With the help of sponsors like BGSU Dining and BGSU Athletics, plus various student organizations and volunteers, the fest was a success, according to Hidalgo. She was grateful for the support her office received for the event, with over 200 people who signed up and about 100 volunteers.
Global Falcon Fest was filled with a combination of numerous group performances. Visitors were serenaded by music from groups like the Toledo School for the Arts (TSA) Mariachi Ensemble and The Jolly Gabbers, consisting of three BGSU graduates who play traditional and contemporary Irish music.
A diversity of cultures were represented through dances from groups representing countries like Mexico and Sri Lanka. Hidalgo’s main goal was for attendees to be able to “experience as many cultures as possible.”
Having the opportunity to experience a piece of other cultures is as educational as it is relational. The high-energy environment of celebration allowed for meaningful connections and conversation, sparing visitors the extra mileage, according to Hidalgo.
“People are interested in learning about the world from the world. It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to travel the world without having to leave your backyard,” Hidalgo said.
For volunteers, having the opportunity to share their cultures through demonstrations and conversations is more than rewarding. Arantza Montilla, who volunteered to represent Venezuela, was thrilled to participate this year.
“I was more than pleased to show everyone my culture and show why I’m proud of it,” Montilla said.
Montilla could name many things she wanted to share from her country, like arepas, the savory corn flour patties. Montilla said the same willingness to want to share with others was exactly what serves as a heartwarming part of Venezuelan culture.
“In general, I’m really proud of my country because we are really warm people. We’re so kind, we’re always willing to help everybody and that’s what makes us really us,” she said.
As a whole, Global Falcon Fest was a pleasant surprise for Montilla. She said it allowed her to teach others while learning new things herself.
“My biggest takeaway is you never know what you can encounter at this type of event. I also got to learn a lot from other cultures, so it’s been amazing, and the reciprocity has been really beautiful,” she said.
