Our Latest 

A Celebration of Humanity

Cesar Camacho , , , ,
David Williams & Band performing (Cesar Camacho/ STU Journalism)

In March 18 the St. Thomas University International Student Association (STUISA) held its annual Multicultural Fair, where more than 120 people enjoyed shows from around the world.

This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that the Multicultural Fair have worked in their total capacity. While the past years restrictions have limited the capacity, this year the MCF celebrated more than 17 different countries and cultures.

Ahmik Burmeo, the president of STUISA and an international student from Ecuador, said that the teamwork and the support from the international community is what made of the MCF 2023 a huge event.

“It was such a hard work from the last three months looking for volunteers, looking for sponsorships,” said Burmeo. “At the end of the day, the words that I can say to everyone is thank you cause it was such a spectacular event.”

He said that the MCF is a chance for STUISA to raise funds for the international students to help them to continue to pursue their academic careers.

Performers of the fashion show thanking the audience (Cesar Camacho/ STU Journalism)

Elize Marisol, the Master of Ceremony, who is a third-year international student from Trinidad and Tobago, said that the Multicultural Fair is a chance for all the students to showcase what they love the most about their home country.

“It’s just a really great time for everybody to get together and produce something together and focus on the things we love about our culture,” said Marisol.

This year’s theme was “Embracing our colors,” and featured musical acts, dancing performances, a fashion show, the international food fest, and for the first time, a cultural market.

The Multicultural fair has become a tradition for the local international community and not only the STU students performed, but members of the Fredericton community, for example, this year the Vietnamese Students association in Fredericton, also took a part.

David Williams, a performer in the Multicultural Fair, said that this was the biggest stage he has ever performed so far in Fredericton and in his life.

“It was an amazing opportunity, […] it was nice to see all this people gathered in this auditorium,” said Williams. “I think it was an interesting change of pace cause I’ve been to multicultural events before and it’s not like this.”

It was an ideal opportunity to celebrate and remember where you come from, while getting to know traditions from cultures around the globe.