Fiesta Peru Is Hit with Audience


Webster University is well-known for taking education to the far corners of the world.

Andean group "Inti Raymi" entertains at Fiesta Peru 2008.

Sometimes, however, the world comes to Webster. Take, for example, a yearly presentation about another culture sponsored by the Department of International Languages and Cultures (ILC) in partnership
with various international organizations.

This year’s event, Fiesta Peru 2008, occurred on Sept. 26 in the Loretto-Hilton Center. It was co-sponsored by Arts & Treasures from Latin America (ATLA), a St. Louis non-profit that promotes Latin American art and culture.

The audience for the annual event is middle- and high-school students from area school districts; some Webster students and faculty also attend.

Jaime Torres, director of St. Louis Community College’s Office of International Education, emceed Fiesta Peru 2008 and helped educate the audience about Latin America, particularly Peru. Arts & Sciences Associate Dean Sarita Cargas welcomed attendees; they also listened to a proclamation from St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley’s office designating Sept. 24-30 as Hispanic Week in St. Louis. In addition, the audience watched a short video about Peru.

Two musical ensembles then took the stage: Inti Raymi, an Andean group; and Los Amancay, an Argentinean group in gaucho garb. The musicians played mainly indigenous instruments and were occasionally joined by dancing students.

ILC Associate Professor Silvia Navia, Adjunct Associate Professor Mercedes Stephenson, and department representative Mary O’Donnell coordinated Fiesta Peru 2008. Stephenson said attendees were enthusiastic about the event.

“The teachers and students who came thanked me for the opportunity to learn about the Peruvian culture and music,” she said.

Lobby displays of ceramics, handicrafts, paintings, and photographs provided other opportunities to learn about Peru.

Although the 2008 event featured a Spanish-speaking country, Stephenson said the Department of International Languages and Cultures tries to provide experiences from many cultures.

“We take turns, so this year was a Spanish theme, next year maybe French, German, or another language taught in the department,” she said.