Thank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the 9th Annual AEC Culture Fest a success!
An estimated 10,000 people participated in the Arts & Education Council’s one-of-a-kind, one-day trip around the world on Saturday, September 29, at Coolidge Park.
Click here to view Photo Galleries of the event.
Sponsored by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, AEC Culture Fest 2007 offered an exciting environment for learning and celebrating Chattanooga’s diversity, through international performances and demonstrations, delicious food, unique arts and crafts, a merchandise bazaar, and dozens of cultural booths and displays.
Children of all ages enjoyed making origami, dragon puppets, Korean kites, rainforest liana vines, and weaving mats in the ArtQuest tent. Participants got henna tattoos, learned to write in Chinese, tried yoga poses, sampled Thai and Cuban foods, and purchased unique hand-crafted items. A favorite stop was the oversized world map to see which countries were represented at this year’s festival.
Festivities kicked off at 11 AM with welcome remarks by Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and a special celebration of the Coolidge Park Peace Grove, in partnership with Chattanooga Sister Cities. Dignitaries from Chattanooga’s newest and oldest sister cities (Gangneung, South Korea, and Hamm, Germany) also made opening remarks, and the City of Gangneung presented a professional dance and drum performance by ShinSayimDang.
Throughout the day, a wide variety of international and local performers exhibited their talents on the River Stage, including the Mexican Folklore Ballet, India Association, Dandasha Dance Company, Chattanooga Traditional Dance Society, and Island Steel Pan Band.
The grand finale of the festival was Andes Manta, a musical group from Ecuador who played over 35 traditional instruments, conveying the history and culture of the Andean people through their unique sound. During their week-long stay in Chattanooga, Andes Manta also participated in school outreach programs at Battle Academy, Calvin Donaldson, and UTC, and between performances enjoyed visits to Chattanooga attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium and Hunter Museum of American Art.
“The event was a great success in bringing the Chattanooga community together to increase awareness of our growing multiculturalism and to bridge cultural differences,” said Laurel Eldridge, AEC Program Director. “It was wonderful to see so many people of varying ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds volunteering and enjoying the day's festivities. We are grateful to each and every person who helped contribute to the success of this event."
