Last Tuesday, the ordinarily quiet Anacon Hall in the Rebecca Stafford Student Center was buzzing with sound, smell, and celebration. Tables lined the room, each one alive with color, conversation, and culture–from Italian masks to global trivia wheels to Japanese drumming echoing throughout the room.
This was Culture Fest, a student-led event designed to bring together the many backgrounds that make up Monmouth’s community. Organized by the Student Activities Board (SAB), the event returned for its second year and saw an estimated turnout of over 300 students.
“It’s really just to celebrate all the different cultures we may not see around campus,” said Ella Swisher, a sophomore member of SAB. “We go to a predominantly white university, so shining light on cultures that aren’t always recognized is kind of the gist of it.”
Throughout the evening, Anacon Hall transformed into a vibrant showcase of food, performances, and student-run cultural displays. Whether that was national flags, traditional items, or curated backdrops, each table had something different to offer. The Italian table displayed Carnivàle masks and necklaces shaped like cornicelli, an amulet worn to protect oneself against the evil eye or bad energy. The Palestine table featured cultural textiles such as a keffiyeh, a traditional scarf worn in Palestinian culture that symbolizes strength and perseverance. Around the food stations, labels marked each dish with its country of origin, from chicken parm to spicy Indian curries to Korean barbecue.
Ziv Cohen, a sophomore representing the Intercultural Center, helped run a table filled with international candies, trivia games, and photo displays. “We’re trying to bring all the community together,” he said. “It’s amazing to see how big our international presence actually is on campus.”
The ambient evening also included a rotating lineup of live performances. Early on, students took turns singing karaoke, but the most striking performance came toward the end of the event. Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum performance, turned the energy from festive to awe-struck. Five drummers in blue and purple robes took to the stage, two in front and three above, letting their performance fill the room. For a moment, the crowd fell silent, captivated. The performers even invited some students to try the drums themselves.
“It’s not your typical event,” Swisher added. “A lot of events are like, ‘Here’s some Monmouth merch, here’s some free food.’ This actually gives people a chance to learn more about each other.”
Junior Olivia Crocco, who helped run the Italian table, agreed. “It feels good sharing my culture with the campus community,” she said. “Italian culture is all about love and togetherness, and events like this help build that kind of community here at Monmouth.”
Others in attendance echoed that same sentiment. “Every table had something unique to offer,” said junior Moises Meza. “With many people proudly representing their culture.”
At its heart, Culture Fest wasn’t just about showing off traditions—it was about connection. Whether through food, music, or conversation, the event reminded students just how many stories live side by side and the importance of interculturalism.
