Festál at Seattle Center

Festál at Seattle Center is a program of annual ethnically-related festivals that take place on the grounds of Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington. A major cultural program of Seattle, these festivals aim to celebrate and connect the city to its varied ethnic and international community. Most festivals contain various arts performances (dances, theatre, musical ensembles, films), dances, marketplace and other programs. These have also come to be the annual gathering place for ethnic groups of the community. Both older and younger people attend, especially the dances and musical concerts.

The Festál events range enormously in scope, from a July 4 naturalization ceremony to the enormous pan-ethnic Northwest Folklife Festival, which draws an estimated 250,000 visitors on Memorial Day weekend. Typical Festál events draw 5,000 to 20,000 visitors. Some (such as Fiestas Patrias) of them draw crowds that are predominantly of the ethnic group that is the focus of the festival; others draw more of a cross-section of the city.

Festál began in 1996 and as of 2008 includes:

Vietnam: Têt Festival

In February, the Têt Festival is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration welcoming the return of spring. For the Vietnamese community, it is a time to reflect on the last year and prepare for the new. The new year is also the time for clearing debts and setting one's house in order. Kitchens are cleaned and new clothing is given to mark the new year. The festival includes Vietnamese artistic exhibits, music, storytelling, food and a spectacular fashion show.

African American: Festival Sundiata

In February, Festal Sundiata is one of the oldest Seattle Center festivals, beginning in 1981. The festival is the most comprehensive African American festival in the city. Named to celebrate the West African Mansa (king of kings) of the Mali Empire, who rescued the Griot - his people's storyteller and tribal historian - Festival Sundiata is a powerful representation of diverse cultural traditions. The music and dance of the festival is renowned - traditional drumming and dance, jazz, rap, gospel, hip-hop, r&b and traditional African styles - are all performed by northwest, national and international artists. The festival also includes Black Science Fiction Writers, Smokin' Black Chefs, children's activities, and visual art.

Ireland: The Irish Week Festival

In March, the Irish Week Festival is centered around St. Patrick's Day, the patron saint of Ireland's celebration. Every year the festival is presented by the Seattle Irish Heritage Club. Partly because Seattle and Ireland are very much alike in climate, Seattle and Galway are sister cities. The festival includes a St. Patrick's day parade from downtown Seattle to the Seattle Center. The Irish festival weekend includes traditional Irish step and gig dancing, musical performances, Irish films, and sing-alongs. The Seattle Genealogical Society appears annually to help anyone trace their Irish genealogy. Also featured are free lessons in Gaelic.

Japan: Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival

In April, the Seattle Cherry Blossom festival is held. The largest event of Japanese culture in the Northwest commemorates the late Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki's gift of 1,000 cherry trees, as part of the United States Bicentennial, to Seattle in 1976. The trees were planted along Lake Washington Boulevard, Seward Park, Seattle Center, The Arboretum, the Seattle Japanese Garden, University of Washington, and the Seattle Buddhist Church.

The cherry tree tradition follows at every year's festival, by bringing cherry tree experts from Japan to Seattle to teach Washingtonians about the proper care and maintenance of cherry trees. The cherry tree experts will give instruction during the festival and the week that follows.

The festival's mission is to deepen mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of the Northwest; to exchange ideas and friendship; to promote the culture, arts, and technologies of Japan, including achievements of the Japanese-American community.

The festival includes dance and music, colorful costumes, martial arts, and tea ceremonies. For children, the festival offers Japanese games, kite making and kimono dress up.

Asia-Pacific: Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration

In May, the US has designated the month as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In Seattle, the Asia-pacific festival celebrates the diversity of China, Philippines, Samoa, Japan, Pacific Islands and Cambodia. The Asian Pacific Directors Coalition host the festival with cultural arts, entertainment and crafts. The performance showcase includes lion dance, youth drill teams, martial arts, taiko drums and guest artists out of state.

China: Chinese Culture and Arts Festival

Due to the large Chinese population in Seattle, the Chinese culture and arts festival is one of best attended festivals in Seattle. In June, the festival offers a comprehensive look at Chinese Culture through Chinese performing arts, visual arts display and gift/informational booths and interactive activities.

Performances are by artists from the Northwest and China. Performers have included Chinese folk dance from Hengda Academy, Chinese music from Seattle Chinese Orchestra, Chinese Wushu from Yijiao Wushu & Taichi Academy, Chinese music played on western instruments from Zhenlun Cello studio and Haiying Violin Studio.

Philippines: Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival

In June, the Seattle Philippine culture is celebrated. "Pagdiriwang" means celebration in Tagalog, as the festival commemorates Philippine independence from Spain in 1869. Performing arts include pageantry, music, dance, dill teams and rock bands. Other cultural activities include food, children's activities, exhibits and martial arts. This festival is noted for its rich colors and fabrics, its largely native turnout, and exceptional culinary arts.

France: Bastille Day

In June, Bastille Day commemorates the 1789 French Revolution, the liberation of The Bastille Prison, and beginning of democracy in France. The best of France is presented: French cuisine and picnics on the lawns, wines, shopping at French "boutiques", performances and music.

The festival is produced is partnership with the French Immersion School of Seattle, the French-American School of Puget Sound, and the Alliance Française de Seattle.

Arab Middle East: Arab Festival

Held in the beginning of August, the Arab Festival is of huge importance to Seattle, as Seattle holds one of the largest Arab American communities in the United States. Began in 1999, the festival includes all 22 of the Arab countries, with a souk marketplace, traditional and modern music, an authentic Arab coffeehouse, an Arabic spelling bee and fashion show. Lectures and workshops explore the rich culture and history of the Arab peoples, one of the world's oldest civilizations. Also of new interest is the Arabic rap concert, including the NW group Sons of Hagar, showcasing the political and creative struggle of Arabic youth.

This festival is skipping 2008, but will return in 2009. [ [http://www.arabcenter.net/node/35 Arab Festival 2009] , Arab Center of Washington. Accessed online 22 May 2008.]

Brasil: BrasilFest

In August, BrasilFest is one of the most popular Seattle cultural festivals, renowned for its Brazilian drumbeats and samba rhythms of its Brasil Folklife Day. Based on the Brazilian Folklore Day, August 22, the festival combines traditional and contemporary cultures of brasil, and the only in the nation to showcase this large amount of Brazilian performing arts. The music includes both traditional and contemporary pieces, drawn from its African and Portuguese roots. The festival also features the unique Brasil martial art/dance Capoeira, costumes, food and contemporary arts.

BrasilFest's Eduardo Mendonca states that "being a part of this strengthens the visibility of Brazilian artistic expression. It is an incredible opportunity to be a part of a series of festivals that promotes rituals and celebrations from around the world."

Tibet: TibetFest

In late august, Tibet's ancient culture is preserved and renewed through ritual and tradition. With centuries-old stories, melodies, masks and costumes, modern and ancient combine to form the culture of Tibet. Highlights are a Tibetan bazaar, prayer flags, performers and food. Neighboring cultures of Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia are also celebrated.

Instruments include unique combinations of flutes, horns, drums, bells and cymbals.

Korea: Korean Cultural Celebration

Due to the enormous Korean population in the Seattle metro area, the September Korean Festival is one of the most important festivals. Strong ties link trade, culture and family between Korea and Seattle. Every year, the festival falls on Ch'usok, or Harvest Festival Day, one of the great holidays of the year in Korean culture.

On this day, feasts are prepared, families hold memorial services at ancestral gravesites, and full-moon viewing takes place in the evening. This Korean holiday is considered not only the most generous in spirit, but a day of thanksgiving for a good harvest. As on Lunar New Year’s Day, families come home from all across the country to celebrate together.

The festival includes folk songs, traditional and modern dance, Tae Kwon Do, films and exhibits that depict a cultural evolution over thousands of years. A highlight is the elaborate student art competition and exhibition. Traditional costumes are worn by performers, with rich and elaborate fabrics and designs.

Mexico and Latin America: Fiestas Patrias

Held in September, Seattle Fiestas Patrias celebrates Mexican independence and the independence of other Latin American countries. In commemoration of Mexico's Sept. 15 independence day, the festival often is decked out in Mexican colors to honor their country.

Entertainment and cultural displays by artists from countries such as Peru, Honduras, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia offer an authentic look at a culture where countries share language, food and sounds, but have very distinct traditions. Favorites of the festival include the mariachi music, salsa dance, fabulous costumes and traditional food.

Italy: Festa Italiana

Started in 1988, Festa Italiana is presented every September, and along with the Irish and Cherry Blossom Festivals, is one of the most highly attended. The festival celebrates traditional Italian culture, as well as mixing in modern Italian performances, art, cars and food. Highlighted every year are traditional Italian folk groups, Italian Opera music by sopranos and pop singers, evening wine tasting, and puppet theatre.

Italian celebrity chef Nick Stellino prepares Italian dishes for an audience. Annual favorites are the grape stomp and bocce ball tournament - frequented by renowned local players every year. Italian-American musical group the EuroRhythms are also performers.

Croatia: CroatiaFest

In the beginning of October, CroatiaFest brings in internationally acclaimed folk dance ensembles, musicians and visiting arts. Back-to-back performances and participatory music and dance define this annual festival, started in 2003. The 2007 festival theme is "Maritime Heritage of Croatians". Many Croatian immigrants had seafaring skills culled on the warm and mild Adriatic, and upon their arrival in the Northwest, found work in the maritime industries on the cold and fierce Pacific. Career fisherman present a workshop on mending nets, as other Croatians share their life experiences and culture.

South Asia: Utsav South Asian Performing Arts Festival

During the second weekend of October, the ustav festival showcases the ancient traditions of music and dance of the South Asian subcontinent. South Asia includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Artists perform art forms including the Indian lute and the much loved sitar, with vocalists and yogic dance and drama with rhythms of dancing bells and foot beats.

There are more than 1,652 different languages and dialects spoken in India alone. South Asia as a whole constitutes the largest Muslim population in the world and is the birth place of some of the world's largest religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. In the US today, 25% of doctors and 20% of information technology professionals are South Asians.

Turkey: TurkFest

Held in the third weekend of October, TurkFest is a festival of friendship, celebrating the cultural richness and diversity found throughout the vast geographical regions of Turkey. Linking the cultures east and west, from Hittites and Assyrians to Hellenes, Romans and Byzantines. Traditional folk dancing, a full turkish bazaar, classical and contemporary Turkish music, and a fashion show of the many traditional costumes are festival highlights. Shadow puppetry is presented especially for the children, while the Turkish food is always a festival favorite.

=Mexico: Día de Muertos=

Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition rooted in Aztec culture, which celebrates life and the lives of those departed. A holiday that pays tribute to ancestors, the festival is centered around the arts of altar decoration. Candlelight graces altars adorned with vibrantly colored artwork and personal artifacts for a deeply moving, visually compelling, experience. Performing artists, both local and visiting, offer exceptional talent, both traditional and contemporary, representing countries throughout Latin America. Of special note is the street sand painting. Traditionally, streets are decorated with sand paintings that are later swept away, symbolizing the fleeting nature of our lives.

=Hmong: Hmong New Year Celebration=

A well-attended festival by both Hmong and non-Hmong people, this is the largest of the Hmong New Year events in the Pacific Northwest. The November event symbolizes the end of the harvest, this is the time when Hmong relax, prepare special foods, and begin courtships. Most Hmong have been in the United States less than 30 years, and Washington's Hmong population is growing.

The festival was originally conceived to raise awareness about the Hmong people, who aided the US in the Vietnam war, against the Vietcong. Most of their population was killed as a result, and most survivors emigrated to the US.

This festival marks the Lunar New Year of this Southeast Asian highland culture originating in the mountains of China, Laos and Thailand. Hmong people preserved their stories and language through intricate storytelling, embroidery, music and unusual communication techniques. Highlights include traditional ball-tossing, dances, children's activities, a fashion show and a hmong band. Exhibits include the history of the Hmong settlement in King County, along with traditional embroideries.

Festivals

*Northwest Folklife Festival, held in May
* Naturalization ceremony on U.S. Independence Day

Notes

ee also

*International District, Seattle, Washington

External links

*The [http://www.seattlecenter.com/events/festivals/festal/default.asp official site for] Festál at Seattle Center included descriptions of each of these festivals.
* [http://www.tetinseattle.org/ Tet Festival Official Site]
* [http://www.irishclub.org/ Irish Festival Site]
* [http://www.chinaartandculture.com/ Chinese Festival Official Site]
* [http://www.seattle-bastille.org/ Bastille Day Official Site]
* [http://www.arabcenter.net/ Arab Festival Site]
* [http://www.showbrazil.com/ BrasilFest Site]
* [http://www.festaseattle.com/ Festa Italiana Official Site]
* [http://www.croatiafest.org/ CroatiaFest Official Site]
* [http://www.koamartists.org/ Korean Festival Site]