ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico's Global Education Office is preparing to host its annual Springtime International Festival on April 17 at Cornell Mall, just outside the Student Union Building on the main campus. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event has been a tradition since the 1990s, showcasing the university's cultural diversity.

The festival this year will feature representatives from over 30 countries sharing their heritage through global cuisine, cultural dances, international arts and crafts, and interactive booths. Molly Wright, the Global Education Office's Marketing and Outreach Representative, shared, "UNM has hosted the International Festival on campus for over 30 years. It is exciting to showcase our international diversity in such a festive way. There are students from over a hundred countries at UNM, so this public celebration is a great way for them to share their culture with the greater UNM community."

Students wishing to participate by hosting a booth, selling food, or performing on stage can apply online. The festival also welcomes volunteers, who will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The deadline for application is April 1.

For those interested in selling food, certification is required, and the SUB kitchens can be used for preparation. More details can be obtained by completing the online registration form and contacting arobinson3@unm.edu.

The event encourages participation from the entire UNM community. "Join UNM’s international students and GEO to experience something new and celebrate the rich cultures within the Lobo community," another call to action reads.

Further information about the festival can be found on its official webpage.