ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY THE ROANOKE TIMES
People of 43 nationalities will turn out to show their native foods, fashions, dances and customs.
Last fall, a Roanoke College psychology professor was in Shanghai, China, speaking at an academic seminar. Afterward, one of the Chinese participants introduced himself and said, "We know about Roanoke."
With that, the psychologist was handed a June 1996 issue of Shanghai's China Daily News. In it was a lengthy article about Local Colors, Roanoke's annual festival celebrating the city's ethnic diversity. The only two words printed in English? "Roanoke City."
That's the mark that Local Colors has made in its first six years, says Pearl Fu, its mistress of ceremonies and entertainment coordinator. The festival marks its seventh year Sunday at 1 p.m. at the City Market.
Beginning in 1990 with a mere four nationalities represented, by last year the festival showcased Roanoke Valley residents from 30 foreign countries, drawing almost 10,000 people downtown, Fu says.
This year, people of 43 nationalities will turn out to display their native foods, fashions, dances and customs. Organizers are hoping for the biggest turnout ever.
"These are real people, living here in the Roanoke area, from all these different countries," says Fu, a frequent international traveler who over the years has created and assumed a volunteer post as Roanoke's ambassador of good will. "You get to learn why they came to Roanoke, what they're doing here."
As it has in the past, the festival will feature an international fashion show in which participants will dress in their native garb. There will be art exhibits, games and crafts for children, storytelling performances, authentic foods and music.
The festival will conclude with Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Maestro David Wiley conducting a multicultural sing-along.
A few new twists to the festival this year include:
A show written and performed by middle school students at the Community School about the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of the Vietnamese people, U.S. veterans of the war and war protesters.
An Australian exhibit featuring sandwiches made from Vegemite, an unusual concoction of anchovies, soy sauce, yeast and salt. "It's an acquired taste," Fu says.
An exhibit by a group called the Sons of Norway, local men of Norwegian ancestry who are trying to keep their heritage alive.
The fashion show will include an exhibit of the native dress of the Kurdish people, an ethnic group from the Middle East. About 30 Kurds live in Roanoke as a result of a war waged on their homeland by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
A photographic exhibit of Chinese minorities by Fu's daughter, Collete Fu, 27. She took the photographs while working as an English teacher in China. Fu's exhibit will be at Studio in the Square.
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