FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations
9406 N. 107th St. • Milwaukee, WI 53224
(414) 354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com
MILWAUKEE, WI – A variety of special events and exhibits will be highlighted throughout the grounds at the 67th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 19 – Sun., Nov. 21, 2010, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.
The photo display “Invisible in the City: The lives of urban refugees” tells the story of the two-thirds of the world’s refugees who reside in cities, rather than emergency camps. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refuges (UNHCR), creator of the exhibit, sent renowned photographer Zalmai to South Africa, Malaysia, and Colombia to document the lives of refugees. With his photography, Zalmai hoped to capture their struggles and hope.
Trends show that in the future, more and more refugees will be trying to survive in cities, as will former refugees who return to their place of origin and those displaced inside their countries. Wherever refugees are, both UNHCR and host states have an obligation to protect their human rights and respect their refugee status.
This year, the International Institute of Wisconsin, producers of Holiday Folk Fair International, celebrates 35 years of settling refugees in Wisconsin. The resettlement process involves assisting with housing, employment, medical, transportation, and educational needs. “What struck me about the displaced people I photographed is that they don’t ask much,” Zalmai said. “They just want protection and basic human rights. They don’t ask, ‘give us money,’ or a house or a job. Everybody just asks for protection.”
Featuring the work of 42 artists representing 42 countries, the exhibit “Art Beyond Borders” introduces the viewer to art and cultures from the far corners of the earth – from remote areas to the great art centers of the world.
Created by TIMOTCA (a nonprofit corporation), the exhibit premiered earlier this year at the UN headquarters in New York and UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The 2010 Holiday Folk Fair International will start a tour of more than 20 US cities.
By bringing together countries and artists of vast political, social, and philosophical differences, the traveling banner exhibit comes to Holiday Folk Fair International promoting world peace and cultural understanding through the universal language of art.
The World Cafe will offer an assortment of time-honored recipes passed down through generations, introducing patrons to distinct and extraordinary flavors designed to awaken taste buds. Bosnian, French, Italian, Mexican, Serbian, and Ugandan ethnic groups will be among the many that will participate in this area.
Heritage Lane allows attendees to take a leisurely stroll and discover traditional and unique customs from around the world by interacting with diverse cultures that are brought to life through ethnic exhibits, including displays by the Chinese, Egyptian, Indian, Latvian, Mexican, Native American, and Romanian groups.
Skilled artisans from distant lands have created characteristic treasures to be on display in the International Bazaar, providing a distinguishing shopping experience. Attendees will find products from a variety of ethnicities, including the Bolivian, Irish, Norwegian, Polish, and Russian groups.
The All Nations Theater will feature traditional music and dance by performance groups representing, among others, the American Heritage Square Dancers, Bavarian, Greek-Dorian, Norwegian, and Turkish cultures.
The Young People’s Showcase is a family favorite, as select youth groups perform ethnic dances, including those representing Irish, Thai, Latvian, and Chinese troops.
Featured local artists in the Music Pavilion include African American, Croatian, Pomeranian, Serbian-St.Nikola, and Ukrainian. They will be joined by a variety of other groups that will have audiences singing along and dancing. An expanded Cooking Demonstration Stage sponsored by Callen Construction will feature local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.
The Holiday Folk Fair International’s annual “Cultural Awareness Program” on Fri., Nov. 19, will give fourth through eighth grade students an opportunity to personally experience global connections through ethnic displays, workshops, mini language and genealogy classes, exhibits and demonstrations, music and dance performances, storytelling, food sampling, and a marketplace.
More than 300 individuals will accept the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship by participating in the Holiday Folk Fair International’s annual Naturalization Ceremony on Sat., Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m.
An interdenominational religious service that brings a variety of ethnic groups together will be held Sun., Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public.
Produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin, Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Peace,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to explore the ways in which music, food, dance, and art enhance racial, cultural, and ethnic cooperation.
Hours on Fri., Nov. 19 are 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 20; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 21. Advance tickets will be sold for $8 each at Pick n’ Save locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Advance tickets for $8 each as well as family four-packs for $28 can be purchased on-line at http://www.folkfair.org.
Admission at the gate will be $10 for adults; $8 for children ages 6 to 12; children under the age of five will be admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $8, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free. Those that bring two non-perishable food items for Hunger task Force will get a $2 discount on a regular adult admission.
For more information on the 2010 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit http://www.folkfair.org or call the International Institute of Wisconsin at 414-225-6220.
