Diversity takes center stage at annual festival

By Oldens Lafortune

Outlook writer

Looking at a group of her friends, Hannah Olson saw something unique each of them.

 Their diversity was undeniable.

“I’ve been so enriched by seeing their culture in my life, that I wanted to share that with everyone else,” Olson said.

FAMU Gospel Choir performed last weekend at the World Culture Festival at Good Samaritan United Methodist Church.

Olson was in the right place to see a lot of culture and diversity for at least seven hours last Saturday at the World Culture Festival. The festival took place for the third consecutive year at the Good Samaritan United Methodist Church.

“In an age of political and social divisiveness where people don’t necessarily seek out things that are different than them, we find it’s important for people to have good opportunities to get to know people who differ,” Olson said.

The day’s activities included performances indoor and outdoor. Some of the performers along with the FAMU Gospel Choir included the Hartsfield Elementary Chorus and Gym Force Aerial Arts.

Vendors had plenty of food along with arts and crafts for spectators.

Edens Leandre, who attended the festival with his friends, said he was enticed by the food. However, he said event meant more to him.

 “The best thing being done here that catches my interest is the aesthetic of praise, food, arts and most importantly education all in one area,” Leandre said. “I learn about your food and your art … it gives me a better understanding of who you are.”

The plans to start the festival grew out of an idea that Betsy Oullette-Zierden, pastor at Good Samaritan, and some her church members had three years ago. Primarily they wanted neighbors to get acquainted with each other. 

One of the attractions at last weekend’s World Culture Festival was a performance by the Kahu Ahu Dancers.
Photos by Olden Lafortune

The church’s diverse congregation also was a driving force to start the festival.

 “I feel God’s pleasure,” Oullette-Zierden said. “As a pastor, I believe that everybody is made in the image of God and yet we so often divide ourselves up, so this is an opportunity to bring who you are and let’s all celebrate who you are and who God has made you together.”

While organizers take pride in the fact that the festival mostly focuses on people, it comes in the middle of Black History Month that is a period of celebrating the history Black America.

“This festival is an opportunity to bring all those things together as our vision for the church is to be reflective of the diversity of heaven,” Oullette-Zierden said. 

She added: “When we get to heaven one day, I think I it will look a lot like the World Cultural Festival.”