Highline College’s annual Global Fest, a cornerstone of the college’s 27th Annual Unity Through Diversity Series was a vibrant tapestry of cultures, showcasing the rich diversity of our world. 

Hosted by the dynamic trio of Global Student Ambassadors, Muna Ali, Barok Yohannes Hailegiorgis, and Laiza Lim, the May 14 event attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The stage came alive with an electrifying lineup of performances that captivated the audience. The powerful rhythms of Taiko drums set the tone, followed by the mesmerizing Oaxacan dances by Grupo Cultural Donaji. Eva Engelhard and Garvaundo Hamilton’s soulful singing touched hearts, while Mannat Choudhary’s lively Punjabi dance and Ly Luong’s entertaining Vietnamese Karaoke added a burst of energy to the colorful mix. 

The Ethiopian dance and the Pacific Islander Student Association UWT Dance showcased the grace and beauty of their respective cultures, while the Seattle Dabke Palestinian Dance brought the house down with its passionate and dynamic performance.

But the true stars of the show were the cultural booths, each offering a unique glimpse into different countries and traditions. At the Lebanon booth, Highline Business Technology Professor Oussama Alkhalili, a proud Phoenician, eagerly shared his homeland’s extraordinary history. “The most important Phoenician contribution to civilization was the alphabet, along with the manufacture of textiles and the invention of purple dye, called Tyrian purple,” he declared. 

Alkhalili also highlighted Lebanon’s cultural and religious diversity, stunning geography, and ancient wine culture, revealing fascinating facts: “Lebanon is the only Middle Eastern country that doesn’t have a desert, and there is snow for most of the year. It’s also home to the Baalbek Temple, possibly the best-preserved Roman temple ruins in the world outside of Rome.”

The Pacific Islands booth, represented by student ambassadors Marleina Mu’a and Arohaina Mataese from UW Tacoma, emphasized the importance of family and community in their cultures. Mu’a expressed her hope that attendees would leave with a greater understanding of the unique cultures that make up the Pacific Islands. 

Mataese noted, “The Pacific Islands were and are primarily run by a chief system, with Tonga having the last remaining monarchy.” Both Mu’a and Mataese expressed their pride in representing their cultures at the Global Fest and their desire to see more representation of different Pacific Islander peoples.

Yekson Tabuni from West Papua passionately advocated for his homeland, highlighting its astounding diversity of 312 tribes and nearly 7,000 cultures, each with unique languages, traditions, and artistic expressions. “Many people don’t realize that West Papua, made up of the two provinces of Papua and West Papua, is distinct from the independent country of Papua New Guinea,” he explained. Tabuni expressed hope that his presence at the Global Fest would help raise awareness and preserve West Papua’s rich cultural heritage.

Chile’s representative, Vivian Vera-Kavanaugh, entertained attendees with fascinating facts about her country, from its Mars-like Atacama Desert to the origins of its name. “Chile’s shape resembles a chili pepper (though that’s not how it got its name),” she shared with a laugh. “The country’s name might have originated from the Aimara word ‘chili,’ meaning ‘where the land ends,’ or could be based on the Mapuche imitation of a bird call, which sounds like ‘cheele cheele.'”

Anastasia Tarpan put Moldova in the spotlight, showcasing its stunning monasteries, castles, and the world’s rarest wine. “In the town of Cricova, there is a winery that houses a labyrinthine maze of underground cellars. Among the 1.3 million bottles of over 640 different wines lies the ‘Easter Jerusalem,’ a wine produced in only one batch in 1902. It is the oldest wine in the collection and the only one of its kind in the world,” she revealed. Tarpan expressed her desire to promote Moldova as a beautiful tourist destination with a rich history and culture.

The Uzbekistan booth provided insights into the country’s ethnic diversity and ancient history. “Uzbeks make up more than four-fifths of the population, followed by Tajiks, Kazakhs, Tatars, Russians, and Karakalpaks. Uzbeks are the least Russified of the Turkic peoples formerly under Soviet rule, and virtually all of them still claim Uzbek as their primary language,” the representative explained. They also shared a fascinating fact: “The least known fact about Uzbekistan is that humans lived in what is now Uzbekistan as early as the Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age), some 55,000 to 70,000 years ago.”

Lizeth Favela Lopez’s Latinx booth focused on creating a welcoming community for Latinx students and establishing a Hispanic-serving institution at Highline. “As a student ambassador, my goal is to provide a safe, welcoming environment that celebrates our rich heritage and makes Hispanic parents comfortable with their children attending Highline,” she shared. Lopez expressed her vision of transforming Highline into a supportive learning environment for Latinx students through initiatives like a thriving Latinx student club and cultural events.

As the Global Fest 2024 came to a close, it was clear that the event had succeeded in its mission of fostering understanding and celebrating diversity. The representatives’ passion for their cultures was palpable, and their stories left a lasting impact on all who attended. Tabuni’s poignant words resonated: “If only one person walks away knowing more about West Papua, then that is one more than the day before.”

Highline College’s commitment to promoting unity through diversity shone brightly at the Global Fest, a testament to the power of embracing our differences and learning from one another. As the college looks ahead to future events in the series and initiatives like the Latinx club’s goal of establishing a Hispanic-serving institution, the spirit of the Global Fest serves as a powerful reminder that our diversity is our strength, and that by celebrating it, we can build a more vibrant, harmonious world.