The annual World Cultural Festival in downtown Valparaiso welcomed visitors with diverse cultural experiences on Sunday. Sponsored by the Valparaiso International Center, the event showcased over 2000-year-old Chinese zithers, musicians, dancers, and artisans from various backgrounds.

Musical Journey:

Valparaiso’s Tiger Kumar, now 16, discovered a passion for the Chinese zither at age four during this festival. Recently, he won a gold medal in China for his musical skills. Kumar emphasized the challenges of acquiring quality zithers and supplies from China. He noted the instrument’s historic roots and the simplicity of plucking strings, though advanced compositions required more complex training. Kumar currently takes online lessons and plans to launch ‘Resonance’, a monthly musical group at the Valparaiso Public Library to connect generations.

Performance Highlights:

Baba Yaga’s Stew performed twice at the festival, under the amphitheater and then at Urschel Pavilion. Lucia Thomas played violin, Dianna Davis handled accordion duties, and Mehtab Kirtan played the Peruvian cajon. Despite wet weather, the performances were met with enthusiasm. Thomas appreciated the opportunity to participate in such a culturally diverse event.

Davis shared her journey from piano studies to playing the accordion. A friend led her to explore the instrument due to its portability compared to a piano and its ability to open travel opportunities.

Support Through Trade:

Jim Goetsch from Fort Wayne represented Third World Shoppe at the festival. His nonprofit focuses on fair trade, selling items like toy birds from Nepal and olive wood creations from Israel and Palestine, helping low-income families. He highlighted the impact of their products worldwide, such as funding clean water projects and supporting local schools.

Cultural Arts:

Italian-born Francesco DeNicolo, residing in Valparaiso, showcased his art and Italian culinary skills. His ambition is to open a gallery while his artworks continue reaching audiences in multiple countries.

Dance and Tradition:

Indianapolis’ Ananya Kar’s dance honored the Hindu goddess Kali, portraying the divine feminine’s multifaceted aspects. With 15 years of professional dancing, Kar emphasized forming emotional connections through her performances and the universal hospitality theme evident in the festival.

Community Engagement:

Jim and Sue Martz volunteer with Compass International, aiding immigrant families in learning English while providing homework supervision for children. Their efforts support people from several countries, including Turkey, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

Parade of Nations:

Antonio Perez, who migrated from Guadalajara, Mexico 36 years ago, led the festival’s parade. Carrying the Mexican flag, Perez highlighted Northwest Indiana’s cultural diversity. Charles “Big Tiny” Canty represented Nigeria and noted the demographic changes in Valparaiso over the decades. Canty stood as an example of the region’s multicultural identity.

Doug Ross contributed to this coverage for the Post-Tribune.