CSUN is to hold its 13th annual free multicultural Carnaval event.
Hamid Jahangard, University Student Union (USU) program coordinator for major events said Carnaval is a celebration of diversity and the goal is to educate students on the various cultures of the world, most of which are represented at CSUN.
“The entire event is free to CSUN students, including food, entertainment, and activities,” Jahangard said. “The entertainment is from various parts of the world, including Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the USA.”
Carnaval is scheduled for Wednesday April 14, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the USU and continues on Thursday April 15, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“The fact that you will have food from more than six countries, musical acts that are from all over the world, and free activities such as carnival games, henna tattoo artist, and a massage therapist is what makes this event so unique and very festive,” Jahangard said.
The event is unlike any other held at CSUN and seeing the students enjoy the event and celebrate the school’s diverse multiculturalism is priceless, Jahangard said.
“My greatest memory of Carnaval was last year when a Caribbean dance group was performing and you had the entire Plaza del Sol packed with students, faculty, and staff, simply enjoying and celebrating the rich diversity that can be found here at Cal State Northridge,” Jahangard said.
Jagrup Singh, 21, Union Program Council (UPC) co-chair, said the greatest thing about Carnaval is bringing together such a diverse group of people.
“I’m sure everyone can see that our campus is vastly diverse, and we have pockets of cultures all over campus. This event shall join the wide spread pockets of culture to one place, for everyone to enjoy,” said Singh, a senior majoring in global supply chain management and information systems.
The Residence Halls Association (RHA) will be hosting various dance lessons on Wednesday April 14th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the newly built Multi Purpose Room in the Community Center, Jahangard said.
Brian Nakamura, 23, an event assistant said you never know what to expect while watching a performance from a culture you’re not familiar with.
“My favorite part of this event is seeing the different performers from various cultural backgrounds share their art with us,” said Nakamura, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and the .
Jahangard said this program has been very successful in the past.
“Last year the three day program drew more than 1,800 attendees to the USU,” Jahangard said. “This event is primarily designed for CSUN students, while we also welcome faculty and staff. While the entertainment and educational pieces will be open to the public, we believe that items such as food, the message therapist, and henna tattoo artist should be primarily for CSUN students.”
Singh urges all students not to miss out on Carnaval.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience of food, dance, music, games, and activities shared and expressed all over the world,” Singh said.
Nakamura also thinks all students should attend the event to reduce stress before the end of the semester.
“Come and enjoy the festivities and the atmosphere, it is a fun and easy way to escape from the stress of CSUN even if it is for just a moment,” Nakamura said.
“Everything at this event is free for CSUN students.”
