Published: April 8, 2007

An array of cultural performers - from belly dancers to mariachi musicians - and international booths offering gastronomic delicacies from around the globe will be among the featured attractions at the 15th annual International Festival at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

This year's festival, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, April 14, in the Glenn Miller Ballroom at the University Memorial Center, or UMC.

Sponsored by the Cultural Events Board, the Office of International Education, the CU Parents Association and other campus groups, the festival is a celebration of the many cultures represented by CU-Boulder students.

"The festival is a great chance for participants and attendees to comprehend how big the world really is and how magnificent a melting pot of cultures can be," said Prithvi Bhargava, an electrical engineering master's degree candidate from India and co-chair of this year's organizing committee. "It is a great learning experience to get various student groups to work together. It makes us realize how unique we all are and yet similar in everything that makes us human."

China, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mexico, Pakistan, Serbia, Thailand and Russia are among the nations participants will represent at the festival.

In addition to enjoying music and dance, festival visitors will be able to taste dishes from around the world such as coq au vin, falafel balls, jollof rice, tiramisu, Black Forest cake, Arab coffee and more.

For a complete list of sponsors and to learn more about the festival, go to festival.colorado.edu.