Arab Fest celebrates diversity, showcases Middle Eastern cultures
UT hosted its fourth annual Arab Fest this past weekend.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:John_C._Hodges_Library#/media/File:Amphitheatre_UTK1.jpg
Over the weekend, the Arab American Club of Knoxville and the Religious Studies department at the University of Tennessee held its fourth annual Arab Fest on pedestrian walkway.
The two day festival showcased food, dancing, crafts and various demonstrations of Arab and Middle Eastern cultures.
Erin Darby, assistant professor in the Religious Studies department at UT, is the co-coordinator of the event.
“It began when my students came back from their study abroad tour [in Jordan] in 2013, and they were frustrated that they didn’t have the ability to share their experience with the rest of the UT community,” Darby said. “So, between UT and the Arab American Club of Knoxville, what was a tiny, little baby idea sort of jumped forth into this crazy festival, and it’s gotten bigger every year.”
“It’s basically a way to share the best of Arab culture, not just with UT students but the whole community,” Darby said.
There were several booths lining the circle of pedestrian walkway. Authentic Middle Eastern food from Yassin’s Falafel House, Mirage and other individuals were available to attendees. People could also smoke hookah, get a henna tattoo or purchase authentic beaded home decor and clothes.
In the middle of all of the vendors was a stage for people to sing, dance and play Arab music. On Friday, there was a musician playing a doumbek, which is a style of Middle Eastern drum. Students were encouraged to come up and learn the Arab group folk dance dabke. There were plenty of smiles in the chain of individuals dancing around to the music both days of the festival.
Among guests at the event was the City of Knoxville Mayor, Madeline Rogero. When speaking to the attendees of the festival, Mayor Rogero admitted to this being her first year attending the festival.
“I love coming to our ethnic festivals in our city,” Rogero said. “Thanks to UT, and Tennessee Valley Authority, and Oak Ridge National Lab and a lot of our businesses here we are a very diverse city and I think it’s really important that we celebrate the diversity we have here.”
Some students like junior Jasmine Parks attended the event as a volunteer for extra credit.
“I just love cultural things,” Jasmine said. “Professor Darby asked that we all come out, and I did, and it is a lot of fun.”
For future Arab Fests, Darby would like to see more people come out and learn about Arab and Middle Eastern cultures.
If you have any interest in being involved with or helping plan future Arab Fests, you can email Darby at edarby1@utk.edu.
Featured image by Nima Kasraie, obtained through Creative Commons
Edited by Kaitlin Flippo
Sarah is a sophomore journalism student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. When she's not in class, you can find her at a local coffee shop or in the mountains. You will typically see Sarah with her camera trying to capture the perfect shot.
