LSU’s International Student Association hosted a Festival of Nations on the Parade Grounds Friday.

The festival’s purpose was to honor “diverse cultures from around the world,” said ISA President and civil and environmental engineering graduate student Md Tanvir Ahmed Sarkar in a message to the Reveille. This was the ISA’s second year putting on the Festival of Nations.

The ISA is a student organization formed to promote the well-being of international students and foster ties between LSU’s international community and the campus at large, according to its website. 

The association organizes cultural events, creates spaces on campus where international students can find comfort and advocates for international students’ needs, Sarkar said. 

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As the Festival of Nations geared up to start Friday, Sarkar said he was most excited for everyone to enjoy the event and for the second edition of the ISA Magazine. 

The magazine, named Kaleidoscope, has stories, poems, articles and a book review from various LSU community members. These submissions also include artwork, photography and the stories and experiences of the wider LSU community. The magazine also featured compilations of the events and notable ISA moments from past years.  

To kick off the festivities, Sarkar gave a speech, wearing a T-shirt made by the ISA for the event, reading, “Bridging Culture, Building Unity.”

After Sarkar, Vice President of Student Affairs Brandon Common spoke, unveiling the ISA Magazine. 

“Our culture is comprised of individuals from across our state, country and world who come to LSU to learn, teach, create new knowledge and, most importantly, to change the lives of others for the better,” Common said. “Our international students bring their own unique cultures and experiences to LSU, enrich the learning environment for everyone by bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to our Campus Community.”

The festival had an inflatable course with a slide and an inflatable football game. There was also a food truck, a 360-degree camera and games. Just by walking past the Parade Ground, students could hear music from all over the world as attendees laughed, met and played games. 

LSU Student Government sponsored the Festival of Nation, and nine student clubs and associations collaborated with the ISA to make the day possible.

LSU notables attended the event, including President William Tate, Associate Dean of the LSU Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School Fahui Wang and Assistant Director of Business Operations for International Programs and ISA advisor Jennifer Kennison. 

Among other student organizations, Geaux K-pop tabled, and at one point, they danced to a K-pop song that led visitors to dance along and post on their Snapchat stories. 

The Fierce Felines dance troupe also made an appearance and brought applause. 

LSU’s African Graduate Student Association showed different cultural items at the festival, teaching visitors about Africa. 

The Nepalese Student Association and the African Student Organization had tables teaching people about their clubs, and the Latinx Graduate Student Association gave out prizes like candy and friendship bracelets. 

The Middle Eastern Student Association had a sign asking people how they write “happy” in their language and gave henna tattoos.

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association taught passers-by how to write in Chinese using ink and brush. Attendees could ask them to spell their name or write their favorite word or choose from a few pre-written messages like “luck,” “happiness” and “beauty.” 

The International Cultural Center also tabled, spreading the word about upcoming events, like its Thankful: Global Village Celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Tower Drive near the Student Union from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and ICC’s Thanksgiving Celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 6-9 p.m.

The festival was a moment for many organizations to come together and celebrate their cultures, and for the International Student Association to continue its goal of bringing the LSU community together.

This article has been corrected to amend the name of, and hyperlink to, ISA’s second edition magazine as well as the slogan on a T-shirt worn by ISA President Md Tanvir Ahmed Sarkar. The presence of LSU President Tate and other LSU notables at the festival has also been added.