NEWS Umeå University proudly presents the 2nd annual International Week, a multifaceted cultural event which will see our campus turn into a smorgasbord of different cultural influences from all over the world. The International Office has teamed up with clubs and organisations in Umeå on a programme including global music, foreign films, international cuisine, dance and a photo exhibition.
“International Week is meant to inspire an interest in other countries and cultures. To do that we aim to present different cultural expressions in interesting and fun ways,” says Jenny Eriksson, Project Manager at the International Office.
International Week is intended for students, faculty and staff members at Umeå University, as well as all residents of Umeå and the surrounding region. The ambition is to attract as large and diverse an audience as possible. The concept evolved in 2007 with the well received ‘International Evening,’ which was targeted primarily for exchange students.
“I just hope that our Swedish students, faculty and staff understand that this International Week is for them, and not just for the ‘internationals,’ and that they take the chance to see, do and experience all the things that will be happening on campus,” notes Jenny Eriksson.
The culturally enriching experience begins on Monday the 16th at noon in the Teacher Education Building with a musical performance and Spanish cuisine. At the KBC Building, Moroccan will be on the menu.
On Tuesday the 17th at 3:00 p.m., a special photography exhibition by doctoral candidate Can Bayram will be on display at the Universum building on campus. Can has given 22 international students the opportunity to “define themselves” through an object, and captured them in captivating images.
Wednesday the 18th is dedicated to the Germany city of Würzburg. The University of Würzburg is the oldest partner university and also one of Umeå’s sister cities. There are over 30 exchange students from this beautiful Bavarian city studying in Umeå, and they will share their rich culture heritage at “Gästhornan” in the University Library.
An International Fair will be in the spotlight on Thursday the 19th. This is your opportunity to meet some of the international students at Umeå University and learn more about their countries and cultures. It’s a great opportunity to explorer the world without leaving campus. There will be international food, traditional clothing, dancing, games, and fun surprises.
The week concludes on Friday the 20th with an African theme at the Corona Nightclub on campus, with a focus on contemporary African music and dance. The doors will open at 8:00 p.m. and for those that want to get some practice, a workshop will given on Thursday at 4:00 pm at E-puben, the economics and business student’s pub at Umeå University.
Two foreign films are included in the programme. On Monday evening, La teta ausutada (English: The Milk of Sorrow) is an award-winning Peruvian film with Spanish language about the fears of abused women during Peru's recent history. On Tuesday, a screening of the French spoken Il va pleuvoir sur Conakry (English: It’s going to rain on Conakry) will be featured. It’s a love story set amid political machinations of the capital of Guinea. Both films will have Swedish subtitles.
Every day, a sampling of international cuisine will be served at selected cafés on campus. Moroccan, Mexican, Lebanese, Greek, Spanish, French and South African dishes are on offer this year.
For more information, please contact:Jenny ErikssonProject Manager, International OfficePhone: 090 786 71 81
E-mail: jenny.eriksson@adm.umu.se
International Week has been organised by the International Office in collaboration with:
Culture on Campus, Umeå Municipality, Folkets Bio in Umeå, Humlan, Afro Feeling, Umeå Chinese Scholars and Students Association, Exchange students from Wurzburg, International students at Umeå University, Can Bayram, GN-Catering, Café Noni, and Abadá Capoeira Umeå
Editor: David Meyers