Hundreds attend Saturday’s Cultural Fest
In French, it means let the good times roll.
“It’s our background, it’s our state’s history and it’s really important for us to know the french language to understand a lot of the things we have going on in the state,” said Hannah Hoffpauir, President of the Barbe French Club.
They were one of many booths at Saturday’s Culture Festival.
Attendees listened to music from around the world and watched performances by local schools.
Performing a classical Indian dance, Sai Gelivi and Sneha Dalal said it’s important, “So people can see other cultures and how they’re like.”
There was also food to sample or buy.
The Saipan booth showcased sugar canes, which were grown in the state but represent their culture.
Maria Choate explains, “Back home almost everybody on the island has sugar cane or bananas.”
Exhibits also included jewelry and handmade arts and crafts. Each booth also signed off on passports, as proof of your visit to their ‘country’.
“I brought three of my grandsons out,” said Robert Maples.
Maples said it was fun for the entire family, “They enjoy it, they looking forward to coming.”
But the event also proved educational.
Chief Edward Chretien, Jr. of the Atakapas Tribe says, “We’re just here to bring awareness to my people and to let the people in this area know that Calcasieu Parish here in Lake Charles was a big area of Atakapas.”
D’Audra Metoyer a volunteer with the Delta G.E.M.S says, “Oh it’s really cool because they have many cultures here. They have had different storytelling’s from different cultures come and they have so many activities for the kids.”
For more information and pictures: http://www.culturefestlouisiana.com/
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