University of Maine hosts annual cultural festival

ORONO, Maine (WABI) – The University of Maine held its annual cultural festival Sunday morning.

The festival brings together members of Maine’s diverse communities to share and celebrate their culture.

Visitors were able to visit the New Balance Recreation Center to experience exhibits, music and cuisine prepared by members of the various communities that make up the people of Maine.

Many of these shows also sold craft items that visitors could purchase to show their support.

Several student organizations used this as an opportunity to raise funds for other events on campus.

Events like these help highlight Maine’s diversity.

“We often think of diversity only through the lens of race, but if we start looking at ethnicity, linguistics, citizenship and heritage, we are actually quite diverse as a state. Many, many Maine people – their ancestors came here a hundred, two hundred years ago. So I think this is a really good way to remember and honor our predecessors and use a few words that you may have learned from your grandparents or Memer and Peper that you may know in French or Portuguese and just come and enjoy this wonderful event,” said Orlina Boteva, director of international programs at the University of Maine.

The cultural festival ended this year but will return in 2025.

The date has not yet been determined but will be posted on the UMaine website in the coming months.

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