On Wednesday, February 12th from 4:30-6:00 PM, students at Carey gathered for the long-anticipated annual Cultural Celebration Night. Despite this, the excitement had begun an hour before at 3:00 PM when students and world language teachers arrived to begin setting up for the event. There were about twenty tables at the event including the Spanish Leadership Club, French Club, Italian Club, Asian Association Club, Cultural Celebration Club, Poland, Venezuela, and more! Each table was filled with foods ranging from focaccia, to French cheeses, to empanadas. Each table was also decorated with a poster representing important aspects/customs of each culture, and many dressed in attire/colors to represent their cultures!
During our school’s Culture Day, we enjoyed an amazing lion dance performance. This traditional Chinese dance featured performers in bright, colorful lion costumes moving to the beat of drums, cymbals, and gongs. The dance is believed to bring good luck and chase away bad spirits. It was a fun and exciting way to learn about and appreciate Chinese culture.
Alongside the lion dance, the Macarena dance was a vibrant and unifying activity. Originating from the song “Macarena” by Los Del Río, this energetic Spanish dance became a global sensation in the mid-1990s. Its simple steps, including arm and hip movements, claps, and a turn, made it easy for everyone to join in. Watching everyone get into the groove was so much fun, and the dance looked incredibly enjoyable to perform, with smiles and laughter all around. The Macarena added joy and excitement to our celebration, making it a perfect highlight of the day.
A group effort from the Italian Club, inviting people to come up and dance, as they performed the Tarantella! Characterized as an upbeat tempo, this dance encouraged many to join in on the fun as they gathered in a circle and danced together.
The dances were not only a hit, but the food was delicious. It was amazing to see the variety of foods from different cultures. Pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish, were a big hit. These thick, handmade corn tortillas filled with cheese, beans, or pork were delicious and offered a taste of El Salvador. On the other hand, “ciasteczka,” traditional Polish cookies, added a sweet touch to the event. These cookies, often flavored with vanilla or filled with jam, were a delightful treat. It was fun to see everyone enjoying these diverse dishes, highlighting the beauty of sharing different cultures through food.
In addition to the amazing dishes, the Italian focaccia was a delightful highlight. Focaccia is a type of Italian flatbread that is known for its soft and airy texture. It’s said to be traditionally enjoyed as a snack or appetizer, often shared among friends and family. The version we had was perfectly baked and everyone enjoyed tasting this traditional bread, which added a wonderful touch of Italian cuisine to our celebration.
It is moments like these that leave smiles on our faces, and memories like these are to cherish for a lifetime. The Cultural Celebration Night was a huge success that gathered a diverse group of students to celebrate the beauty of cultures worldwide. We can’t wait to see this event back next year!
