It’s a small world in Moorhead Annual event displays unique cultures

Annual event displays unique cultures

By John Showalter

Over a century ago, Ralph Waldo Emerson referred to the fledgling United States as a “melting pot,” where the cultures of the numerous immigrants that had come here would join together in a harmonious whole. Though we have made some progress since he uttered those words, there is still a lot of work to be done. Even though we have given numerous refugees and immigrants in our area a new lease on life, there is still an unsettling amount of xenophobia that can be found. The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County hopes to challenge that.

In 1994, Yoke-Sim Gunaratne founded the annual event “Cultivate Our Cultures” through the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County. Eventually, the event would take on the title “Pangea: Cultivate Our Cultures.” It is, of course, named after the prehistoric supercontinent Pangaea that over millions of years split into the continents we know today. The intent of the event, according to Maureen Kelly Jonason, executive director of the society, is to “show the best of the cultures that live in our area” and “to help preserve their cultures while they assimilate into our society.”

Pangea is a family-friendly event that showcases food, games, music, art and educational presentations from a number of diverse cultures that make up the Fargo-Moorhead area. All three floors of the Hjemkomst Center will be packed with a “cultural bazaar” exhibiting approximately 30 different cultural backgrounds from the Red River Danes to representatives of the various refugee populations that have migrated to this area over the years, often being forced out of their homelands at the risk of death and trying to piece together a living in the Midwest. Lutheran Social Services, which places the majority of the refugees in the area, reaches out to the various ethnic communities around here in order to encourage them to contribute.

If you plan on attending the event, you may want to come with an empty stomach because you most certainly won’t leave with one. Culinary expression is a large part of any culture, and every year approximately 10 cultures will provide their unique foods. This year will feature foodstuffs of Haitian, French, Canadian, Sri Lankan and Middle Eastern backgrounds.

You will also want to be sure to listen to the various musical contributions at the event. Among them are Bud Larson, who will play Norwegian folk tunes on his fiddle, and Jesus Negrete, who will be doing some bracero singing, a form of singing developed by the Mexican guest workers that came to the United States between the 1940s and ’60s. He should be performing around 1 p.m., although the schedule for the program is usually not set in stone until closer to the day of the event. On top of that, there will be performances by Bhutanese, Indian and Pakistani residents.

If you happen to have children, there is no need to find a babysitter or leave them at home as they are more than welcome to attend the event. Kids can engage in a sort of scavenger hunt where they visit the multiple exhibits; whenever they learn something new at one of the exhibits, they can earn a flag sticker to add to their collection.

Extra effort is being made this year to accommodate the differently abled. For example, many of the presentations will feature audio descriptions and closed captioning. There will be volunteer guides who can help those who might have trouble navigating the center on their own. Among the groups that put in a hand at the event are the Concordia Kiwanis, NDSU Lions, Globe University, MSUM Anthropology and the Boy Scouts of America. Grants that support the program come from both individuals, like Irene Hogan, and groups, such as the Moorhead Rotary Club.

When asked if she felt Pangea helped battle the unfortunate xenophobia that still rears its head in our society, Jonason emphatically replied, “Absolutely.” The event has continued to have a greater turnout every year, from about 1800 attendees last year to a predicted 2000 this year.

Also worth mentioning is that the entire parking lot of the Hjemkomst Center will be devoted to handicapped and elderly parking. Anyone else hoping to attend the event will want to board the shuttle bus that will be running between the center and the north side of the Moorhead Center Mall, so factor that into any travel plans.

IF YOU GO:

“Pangea: Cultivate our Cultures”

Sat, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead