The LaFortune Ballroom came alive last year during Foreign Language Week 2022 with the smell of food, the beating of drums, the sound of music, and the grace of the dancers from different cultures. The Notre Dame community watched in awe as the performers transported them to different parts of the world, each dance telling a story of its own culture and tradition. From the graceful and elegant classical Chinese dance to the energetic and lively Irish jig performance, the dance floor became a mosaic of cultures. The dancers were not just performers but also ambassadors, showcasing the beauty of their cultures to the audience. Foreign Language Week became a true celebration of diversity and a feast for the senses.
Foreign Language Week (FLW) is making a return this year - and it's almost here! Starting on Saturday, February 11 with a special Chinese New Year celebration, look out for more than 90 events all over campus celebrating different languages and cultures from around the globe.
Featured during the week will be a variety of activities and events, including cultural demonstrations, language masses, discussion panels, language tables, cooking events, games, film screenings, dance performances, and more! Hands-on workshops will offer a chance to learn about the customs, traditions, and history of different countries and cultures. Academic presentations will provide in-depth inquiry into aspects of careers, intercultural development, and international politics. Performances will include traditional music, dance, singers, and storytelling from around the world. Guest speakers include interdisciplinary scholars, film directors, Notre Dame Graduate students, and faculty from other universities. Events will be held across campus.
The highlight of the week will be the Culture Fair, taking place on Wednesday, February 15th, in the Dahnke Ballroom located on the 7th floor of Duncan Student Center. The culture fair will feature opportunities to learn traditional crafts from around the world, music and dance performances (some of which are interactive!), games from a variety of cultures, and most importantly, food from around the globe!
The events during FLW were coordinated by the CSLC’s Eva Hoeckner, Program Manager of Language Initiatives, who also serves as faculty in the German Program at Notre Dame. Events were planned in conjunction with the Program in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, the Department of Irish Language and Literature, East Asian Languages and Cultures, German and Russian Languages and Literatures, Romance Languages, and Literatures, and a variety of student clubs on campus, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Career Services, the Alliance for Catholic Education, the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, the Notre Dame Department of Music, Sacred Music at Notre Dame, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, and the Notre Dame Alumni Association, the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, ILS, Campus Ministry, Residential Life, and Notre Dame’s Dining Services. It truly is a collaboration across the Notre Dame community and beyond.
With the aim of promoting the importance of learning foreign languages and fostering a greater understanding of other cultures, this week of immersion at Notre Dame shows that we are the world. Don't miss this opportunity to build community with others, learn, and immerse yourself in different cultures and languages. The Culture Fair, and the entirety of FLW events, are open to all students, faculty, and staff. All events are open to the public. Some events require registration or free ticket reservation, so make sure to check the calendar event.
February 11-19, 2023
Luke Van de Walle (‘24) is a political science and global affairs major who specializes in current event writing and conducting interviews.
Originally published by at cslc.nd.edu on February 01, 2023.