TORONTO, January 31, 2007 -- York University’s fifth annual Multicultural Week will bring students together in a ‘global village’ of student clubs grouped into continents, and will showcase stage performances that fuse traditional and modern cultures.

The four-day celebration runs from Monday, February 5 to Thursday, Feb. 8. It kicks off with an opening ceremony followed by the annual multicultural parade and food fair. Other activities during the week include a global fashion show and cross cultural workshops, offering students a chance to sample other languages.

More than 60 student groups and clubs have registered to take part in the event, which is organized by York is U, the student alumni program at York.

“We have a significant number of international students at York,” said Farhan Ali, student director of the event.  “Multicultural week really provides a platform for us all to learn more about ourselves while developing a greater sense of community.”

On the final two days of the event, a ‘global village’ will reside in York’s Accolade East fine arts building. The entire first floor will be sectioned into continents where clubs will be given the opportunity to express their cultures.

Stage performances in the state-of-the-art Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre will dazzle, exhibiting art forms from all corners of the globe. Performances will include music, dance and other forms of art by the clubs and Toronto’s famed Russian Folklore Theatre and step-dance group Black Ice.

Clubs will compete throughout the week through participation in the parade, food fair, global village and stage performances. The winning club will receive a $500 prize for student programming. Students can participate individually in the “Passport to the World” contest by collecting stickers for all activities they attend. When their passport is filled, they enter a draw for exclusive prizes including a trip for two to Montreal, a desktop PC and iPods.

For more details on Multicultural Week activities please visit: www.yorkisu.ca.

York is U is the Student Alumni Program of York University. We exist to make York a spirited, clean, safe and fun place for everyone. As the Student Alumni Program, we believe that York is a source of pride and a place where students will return, year after year, even after they graduate.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 190,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 23 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

Contact:
Keith Marnoch

Media Relations

York University

(416) 736-2100 ext. 22091
marnoch@yorku.ca

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 6
GLOBAL FASHION SHOW
STUDENT CENTRE
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

CROSS CULTURAL WORKSHOPS
CHANCELLORS @ THE UNDERGROUND
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM