The Official Celebration Of Multiculturalism And Diversity

21 MAY 2pCT I 3pET I 12pPT

USA

Announcing The International Festival USA Virtual Celebration:

A Digital Experience held

Friday, May 21, 2021 2pCT I 3pET I 12pPT

United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 

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The recent wave of civil unrest, hate crimes, and anti-semitic sentiment coupled with the Coronavirus experience has impacted our country in ways we would have never imagined. This reckoning with the current state of things has been met with a call to action.

The International Festival USA has answered that call and is committed to help ensure ALL Americans are represented EQUALLY. Additionally, The International Festival USA is focused on ensuring the well- being and security of communities most vulnerable, including Asian Americans, people of color, and low-income communities.

Therefore, The International Festival of the United States of America, widely regarded as ‘The Nation’s Official Celebration of Multiculturalism and Diversity” will officially celebrate that special day: back in 2002, when the United Nations General Assembly chose May 21 as the “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development” in its Resolution 57/249, This celebration will be held in tandem with The Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Each May the United States celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the vital contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians to the American story and to recognize some of the challenges they have faced along the way. This year the Department of Defense has chosen a theme of “We Answered the Call,” aligning the AAPI Heritage Month observance with the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of World War II, a period replete with stories of incredible bravery and patriotism by Asian American and Pacific Islanders on behalf of our Nation and its allies. Indeed, many of their stories offer us much to celebrate and learn from.

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This pandemic in no way lessens the significance of the month or the impact of the many contributions and remarkable stories of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians both now and throughout our Nation’s history. With roughly 94% of the 20 million Asian Americans in the U.S. today tracing their roots to 19 different origin groups from East and Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, we can appreciate the rich diversity they represent and the unique histories, cultures, languages, and experiences they are weaving into the fabric of the U.S., making it stronger and more beautiful with each new thread.

2021 NEWS UPDATE

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, it will not be possible for The International Festival to stage a large, in-person event within our usual footprint.

This year, we will host our very first Virtual International Festival Celebration. The celebration will highlight Houston's cultural Diversity--the single most ethnically diverse region in the country. 

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Stay tuned for more information and programming announcements throughout the season.

Subscribe to THE iFEST Updates for the latest information.

HOUSTON MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER JOINS INTERNATIONAL LEADERS AT THE IFEST USA

Joined by The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston’s International and Multicultural Leadership stand together at The International Festival USA to represent the cultural diversity that makes up Houston’s diversity. Dressed in authentic traditional clothing, representatives from each country offered a greeting in their native language and proudly carried their flag.