IISTL

Making the Rounds

October 10th, 2008

Today’s post is our first from our new Communications Intern, Andrew Chappelle. He is a graduate student at

Webster University in International Relations.

When I heard that I would get the opportunity to sit in and possibly help out in a few classes and other programs here at the International Institute, I was very relieved. I certainly didn’t want to just sit behind a desk the whole time, especially when I’ve heard about all the great programs and services the Institute offers refugees and new immigrants to St. Louis.

Hearing about it is one thing. Being able to see it is, of course, totally different.

This morning I sat in an English class for beginners and was surprised to see so many people from different backgrounds, all working through a difficult, shared process together—people from Vietnam, Bhutan and parts of Africa who come to the Institute for several hours each day to do what they can to learn English as quickly as possible.

Many of these people are heads of household and several of them—especially the women—have never been in a class or used a pencil before. It’s amazing the dedication they show to establish themselves in this country; it’s good to know the Institute provides them with tools to thrive once they are here.

Later in the morning, I sat in an advanced class with people from Chile,

Bosnia and other parts of the globe. Today they were learning about amendments to the constitution, and how they serve to continually adapt the document to reflect our constantly changing, ever diverse and dynamic society. I saw in these students the relief that comes knowing that no one person can change the document to suit his or her own political agenda.

Meanwhile, I thought to myself about those times when people have tried to change the constitution for the sake of dividing the people.

This November, Missourians will have such a measure before them—Constitutional Amendment 1. It focuses on official government meetings, but would also require that the state driver’s license exam be given only in English, even though it is currently administered in 11 other languages.

For decades this system has worked, yet now it appears the state is choosing to punish non-English speakers. While you may hear it euphemistically referred to as “an incentive to learn English”, I see it as flat-out anti-immigrant.

With less than a month to go before the election, my hope is that more people will start talking about this measure and others like it around the country that seek to divide us. This is, after all, a nation of immigrants and only by accepting one another can we form that more perfect union.

Posted in A day in the life | 1 Comment »

Festival of Nations - It’s a wrap!

September 2nd, 2008

The 9^th Annual International Institute’s Festival of Nations was an enormous success! Tower Grove Park was filled to its brim with more than 100,000 people who came together for the multicultural festival. One festivalgoer described it as “Everybody’s party!” More than 70 cultures were represented in the Festival’s dance, art, food, crafts, music and sport.

There were some special volunteers at the Festival of Nations this year – five newly arrived refugees from Bhutan gave their time in Citizens’ Square, a civic engagement activity center. These refugees were resettled by the International Institute St. Louis less than a year ago, and they are already giving back! One Bhutanese volunteer, Rangha, said “It was wonderful to volunteer in the United States of America.” You can read more about the Bhutanese refugee situation here.

Here are links to just a few articles/videos about the Festival:

St. Louis Chinese American News

Bosnian Media Group

KSDK

Posted in Celebrating Diversity | 2 Comments »

Diary of a Festival Director, Part 2

August 15th, 2008

By Ann Rynearson

This year’s stage line-ups are lead by several major dance performances. Eileen Wolfington is organizing a “Fiesta Mexicana” to celebrate, as she says, “the complex heritage of different regions of our neighbor to the south.”

Diadie Bathily, the famous dancer-presenter from Mali will be leading a special, choreographed performance of Afriky Lolo and bringing in a special guest artist direct from the Ivory Coast. Grupo Atlantico brings music, songs and dances of the Colombian coast to the stage, including a Carnaval celebration featuring masked dancers. In addition, Soorya Performance Company is bringing a troupe of professional dancers and musicians to present the best of classical Indian traditions. Along with so many other strong troupes in the local area, this should be an “all star” show.

The World Music Stage brings a performance of one of St. Louis’ most popular groups—world percussion group Joia. Look for them early Sunday. Many other popular local “world beat” troupes also appear, including French jazz-based Poor People of Paris, the haunting notes of Native American bone flutes of Autumn’s Child, Iranian- Gypsy-Latin tunes from Farshid and Friends and Latin rhythms of Clave Sol and Samba Bom.

In the crafts area, the festival-long exhibit will be the process of making fantastic masks from Puebla, Mexico, said to be the embodiment of bad dream-spirits brought to life only to drive themaway. On a rotating basis, we’ll have demos and workshops of Kiowa bead and quill work, Mandingo tie dying, Chinese painting, German woodcarving and pinch pottery and Mexican sugar skulls used for the Day of the Dead.

Posted in A day in the life, Celebrating Diversity | No Comments »

Diary of a Festival Director, part 1

August 8th, 2008

By Ann Rynearson, Festival Director

As I write this, Festival of Nations is almost here– barely three weeks away! It’s going to be one of the most exciting in years. Last year’s fairgoers will be pleased to hear we have made major changes in the layout to accommodate our growing crowds. Please try to attend (or even better, volunteer), because the entertainment, food, gifts and children’s activities are all bigger and better than ever.

Right now, I am working 24-7 on the artistic program. You’ll be glad to hear that a record ten refugee ethnic groups are represented: Afghani, Albanian, Bosnian, Colombian, Eritrean (though not Kunama yet), Ethiopian, Haitian, Liberian, Sierra Leonean, and Vietnamese. Despite strenuous effort on the part of caseworkers, artists from the Turkish, Kunama, Karenand Somali communities were not yet quite ready to play a role, though we will have a Burmese food booth.

It typically takes at least three to four years after arrival for a new community to be ready to participate. I know we’re all eager to see more of the rich culture brought here by all the new groups. One of the advantages to the cycle is that it means the festival is always growing as refugee populations get settled. After a few years, they start restaurants or community organizations, and they want to sell their wares or share their unique spices with St. Louis! Some choose to do it to raise funds to support their organizations. Others use the experience as a starting-off point for their own small businesses.

Stay tuned for Diary of a Festival Director, Part 2, which will be posted on Friday, August 15

Posted in A day in the life, Celebrating Diversity | 1 Comment »