Efforts cumulated into a vibrant celebration of Asian cultures within the Student Union Wednesday as the two-hour long Asian Bazaar that kicked off.
Modern Asian music, handpicked by student organizers, echoed throughout the lobby. The event was presented by UB's Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC) along with student organizations on campus.
Students gathered at the informational tables, taking advantage of the free educational components.
Many also sampled cuisine from Asian cultures, provided by two local Amherst restaurants, Taste of India and Saigon Bangkok. Students used glue guns to mesh together pillows with traditional Asian fabric, while others tried their hand at calligraphy, henna painting and creating paper lanterns.
Along with the traditional cuisine and crafts, entertainment included a nine-minute performance by the Korean Folk Art Club featuring traditional folk instruments in the adjacent theatre in the Student Union.
Nicole Williams, graduate assistant and event organizer, believes the event served as a great learning tool on Asian culture.
"People traditionally think of Japan and China when they think of Asians. People tend to leave out Indian, Pakistani and Filipino cultures," Williams said.
The Union was filled with different board displays explaining each Asian society. One was a poster board quiz to gauge students' knowledge of Asian culture and geography.
Another display showcased illustrations of smiling faces, mainly UB students, who wrote about a unique aspect of their heritage. The words "I am..." followed by each name and text helped to foster an appreciation and understanding of the diverse nationalities within the Asian culture.
Similar to the Asian Bazaar, three other celebrations are held annually in conjunction with heritage months to promote diversity. Latin and Native American bazaars are held in the fall semester, and the African and Asian bazaars are held in the spring semester.
Wednesday's Asian Bazaar was held in honor of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, a special presidential proclamation month of observance.
An integral part of each celebration is the entertainment, crafts and traditional food, but the greater focus is upon learning, and understanding.
"We usually get strong support from the community. The important thing is to make it known that everyone is welcome at the IDC, and it's important to celebrate each other's culture," Williams said. "We expect the whole community to come out, not just the people representative of the culture. We are blessed to have such a diverse campus."
Denise Berkley, a senior early education major, said IDC events appeal to students because they are a stress-reliever during the day. She added that the cultural aspect engages students interest about a new culture.
"The cultural bazaars are a good way to relieve stress through the crafts tables and the entertainment, especially during the mid-term, and final exams. The culture-side of the event is also a benefit," Berkley said.
