The International Student Association hosted music, dance and fashion performances from a multitude of cultures at International Fusion Sunday night.
The event held in the Student Union Theatre opened with a reception in which tables displayed clothing, art and traditions from around the world. Students from Nepal, Oman, Sri Lanka and many other countries answered questions and taught attendees about their respective homelands.
“It’s a representation of the melting pot of LSU … an annual event that’s bringing us all together,” said Kenyan management graduate student Habiba Alambo.
The Sri Lankans and other tables offered to translate names into their languages and presented attendees with calligraphy of the results.
“We [Sri Lankans] have very little population here,” chemistry graduate student Jeewan Ranasinghe said. “This is a good chance to provide people with our culture, our dances, our letters; so many things.”
Others wanted to also dispel misinformation about their home countries.
Electrical engineering graduate student Hamed Shamkhali said he hoped information on traditional calligraphy, handmade jewelry, and literature would help counter negative portrayals of Iranian people in the media.
“We try to show that we’re coming from a rich culture,” Shamkhali said. “We are very friendly, we are very peaceful.”
After the reception, International Fusion moved into the Student Union Theater for cultural performances from around the world. The show commenced with the audience being greeted in a variety of languages.
Presentations included magic tricks, Bengali dancing, Chinese Yue opera and Costa Rican violin solos.
“It is a very good opportunity for people from all over the world to get familiar with other’s countries and cultures,” said Shamkhali.
Bands like The Oligarchs and Chai And Coffee made of players from a variety of countries combined musical influences from diverse backgrounds in their music.
The festivities briefly halted for representatives of the LSU Alumni Association to take the stage and announce the recipients of the 2016 International Student Scholarships. The group presented four awards to eligible undergraduate and graduate students, two for men and two for women.
After the performances ended, audience members, performers and organizers alike were invited to meet at the International Cultural Center for a dinner featuring a variety of dishes from around the world.
“The world is beautiful, it is a diverse place, and that’s what I want them to know,” Alambo said.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Wingate Jones

The International Student Association presents Paired Wintry Winds during the 6th annual International Fusion on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the LSU Student Union