The International Club at the University of Nevada, Reno brings a celebration of multicultural diversity to the Reno community with the 31st annual Night of All Nations, 6-9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at Lawlor Events Center.
The theme of this year’s event is “Come Together.” The celebration gives students and the local community the chance to share cultures through ethnic food and unique performances.
“There is no other event in the community like it,” Adilia Ross, the International Club’s faculty advisor and international student advisor for the University’s Office of International Students and Scholars, said. “It creates a different world where cultures come together in one place.”
More than 25 country booths will be represented at the event including a few new cultures such as Panama and Navajo. The collaboration of country booths helps bring social awareness to the Reno community.
“Night of all Nations is a cultural event meant to raise awareness, reduce cultural ignorance and allow students with diverse cultural backgrounds, such as international students, to proudly show their heritage,” Mahsa Ahmadi-Zadeh, president of the International Club, said.
The evening includes many cultural performances, each introduced through a short presentation. There will also be a variety of crafts including tie-dye, origami and henna.
“The event is a learning experience, especially for someone who has never been exposed to a particular culture,” Ahmadi-Zadeh said.
According to Ahmadi-Zadeh, the event is the largest student-run International Club event on campus. The event would not be possible without the dedication and work of volunteers and international students.
“The students have put in a lot of work,” Ross said. “We encourage people to come out and support the event.”
Last year, Night of All Nations was held for the first time at Mackay Stadium. Due to another event scheduled in the stadium, the event returns to Lawlor.
“There were pros and cons to having Night of All Nations at Mackay Stadium,” Ross said. “It was a wider space, but we could not have people on the field which was hard to control with a big crowd.”
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Lawlor Events Center box office, or at the event, cash only. Tickets are $5 with a student identification card, $6 for general admission, and children under six years old are free. For more information, go to www.unr.edu/oiss/resources/
