TORONTO, January 29, 2004 -- York University students are kicking off the second annual Multicultural Week festival showcasing the cuisine, art, entertainment, and social and religious diversity that make life at Canada’s third largest university a truly global Canadian experience.

 

The festival, which runs February 2 to 5, will commence with a parade “celebrating cultures of the world” which will officially open the Multicultural Village located in the York Lanes mall, on Monday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. The Village will feature booths from more than 60 student clubs and offer food, crafts and cultural exhibits. The main sound stage will feature over 30 performances, from colourful costumed dance to poetry, prayer, and martial arts.

 

The week will culminate with a gigantic international food fair on Thursday, Feb. 5 in the Village. There will also be a student art exhibit throughout the week at Akasa Art Gallery, located in the adjoining Student Centre.

 

Hosted by York is U, the official student alumni program, Multicultural Week is York’s largest week-long event. Last year’s inaugural festival attracted some 10,000 students. This year’s theme “Passport to the World: a glimpse of the world around u.” will focus on the joining and sharing of cultures that enrich student life at York.

 

“Multicultural Week greatly enhances people’s understanding of different cultures, and builds community spirit and pride,” said Aaron Vidas, one of the student organizers and marketing and finance director of York is U. “This is a fabulous way for people on campus and in the community to participate in an event together, and meet interesting new friends from different parts of the world.”

 

Among the student population of 47,000, York draws its international students from more than 130 countries. At York, Canadian students claim ethnicity from over 160 countries. Additionally, York has 172,000 alumni in 155 countries.

 

For a complete schedule of events, visit the York is U Web site at: www.yorkisu.ca.

 

 

 

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For more information, please contact:

 

Ken Turriff

Media Relations

York University

416-736-2100, ext. 22086

kturriff@yorku.ca

YU/013/04