For a night of cultural exploration of South’s diversity, various culture clubs will display unique food, music, and games, senior Sara Khan, Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR) Co-President, said. Tonight, March 17, SOAR is hosting the annual South World Cultures Fair, featuring appearances from Hellenic Club, Mongolian American Student Organization (MASO), UNIDOS, and more, she explained.

At the event, a large variety of different activities will be presented, Khan said. Unique aspects of many cultures will be on display for students to better understand and educate themselves on different lifestyles, Khan explained.

“[At the fair], people can become more comfortable with parts of cultures they had not been exposed to before,” Khan said.

The night’s goal is for South’s diverse student body to feel as though they belong and are represented, freshman SOAR member Ellen Llacsa explained. 

“People [in SOAR] are doing lots of work, [including] fundraisers for the event,” Llcasa said. “This is to make sure the [World Cultures Fair] is successful in giving [all South students] a sense of unity.”

The fair serves as both an advertisement for the progressive work done by SOAR and the cultural clubs of South, junior SOAR member Amber Hwang explained. Clubs such as Hellenic Club and KASA showcase valuable parts of their cultures through concessions, dancing, and games, she explained.

“[A goal for the night is] getting the word out for SOAR and the [other] cultural clubs at [South],” Hwang said. “There’s so many diverse clubs that everyone should know exist.” 

Nara Banzragch, English Instructional Assistant andMASO Sponsor, views the fair as an opportunity to promote MASO and aspects of Mongolian culture such as traditional music and dancing.

“We are so happy to participate and perform traditional cultural dancing, singing, and the Horse Fiddle instrument,” Banzragch said. “It’s a very unique and beautiful instrument.”

Because of Mongolian culture is less known, junior MASO President Ezo Tuvshintulga believes this is an essential event for representation.

“Mongolian culture is really unknown so our plan is to promote it,” Tuvshintulga said. “If we could do that [then] our goal [would be] accomplished.”

UNIDOS’ booth represents South’s Hispanic population, showcasing their culture’s music, food, and more, senior Annamarie Diaz-Lugo, President of UNIDOS, said. Popular treats such as flan and the spice Tajin will be available for purchase to fund the club as well, she noted.

“From behind the booth, we try to grab the attention of people and tell them about the food: what it is, where it’s served, and where it’s popular,” Diaz-Lugo said.

Along with raising funds and spreading Hispanic culture, the fair serves as an opportunity to get UNIDOS’ message out there, Diaz-Lugo explained.

“We’ll converse with families that want to ask about our club and what we do,” Diaz-Lugo said. “It is a great way to expand [UNIDOS] presence at [South] and show Latino culture at school.”

Diaz-Lugo praised the fair’s welcoming learning environment and emphasized the importance of attending events such as this at South, especially with the lack of travel in recent years due to Covid-19.

“[At this fair you can] widen your horizons [such as] your palate for food,” Diaz-Lugo said. “It’s great to experience other cultures that you’re not used to and see all the different cultures present at [South] in one space.”