ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 24, 1993                   TAG: 9307260304
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TOO FEW ATTENDED `COLORS'

I CONGRATULATE you on the wonderful "Colors" festival that you sponsored recently. I feel that the United States' multicultural heritage is one of its greatest assets. I am relatively new to this area, and am looking forward to attending these on a yearly basis.

I'm originally from Philadelphia, and have attended many similar festivals in the North. They are great money-makers for the municipalities and others involved. Therefore, I was disappointed that more did not attend this area's "Colors" festival, and hope this will be remedied in the future. I also was disappointed that this newspaper did not use its own resources more efficiently to promote the festival. Although there was traditional advertising and a brief mention in the Extra Section, people would have responded even more favorably to prominent articles, photographs, interviews and features.

This newspaper contains frequent discussions about the lack of vision in the valley, and readers are treated daily to discussions regarding Roanoke's failures to capitalize on various commercial opportunities. I cannot imagine why you did not more aggressively showcase its own festival. Not only is the event a financial opportunity, but also a chance for Roanokers to learn about the diversity of those who live here. It was unrealistic to fear that coverage by the sole sponsor might draw criticism that you were engaging in mere hucksterism to enrich yourselves. Any negatives on this account are outweighed by the clear benefit of promoting cultural understanding in the community.

I hope the newspaper pushes this event more forcefully next year. Its value cannot be measured financially. MARIA KUSZNIR ROANOKE 


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