World Village gives people an opportunity to listen, watch, learn, feel and interact while learning and teaching cultural aspects of Idaho’s diverse heritage. Through art workshops people will learn characters, words and symbols that reflect cultural heritage. Through dance workshops people will learn elements of movement that symbolize important events in other cultures, such as weddings, rites of passage, cultural celebrations and more.

In the creation of music, people will first learn the purpose and history of the instruments and rhythms that enlist call and response interactions of musicians and also draw people together to listen, dance or play as they have done for thousands of years. These hands-on activities help us to transcend language barriers and more quickly integrate newer members of the community, especially those who have relocated from other countries.

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Growing together as a community requires understanding and validation of our unique experiences and backgrounds. The ability to share ones cultural heritage builds a sense of pride and belonging. Feeling welcome and having a mechanism to share strengthens individuals, families and builds a confident, strong and inclusive society.

The collaborative nature of art, music, film, dance and culture create the environment needed to open doors between ethnic groups in a vibrant and welcoming way. Through discovery of differences in art and culture, we also discover the many ways we are alike in our human experiences and values.

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The World Village is a three day Arts and Humanities event that will be host to several multi-national performing groups representing Idaho’s variety of cultures. This Dance, Music Storytelling, Poetry, Film and Food event will showcase our community’s expanding blend of cultural arts and literature, and will invite every resident to connect with their neighbors through a rich celebration of the many traditions and arts around us.

World Village, a lively interactive event, will bridge communities, raise awareness and enhance cultural sensitivity while promoting diversity.

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