By TAMI OLSEN
tami@du2.byu.edu
The deserts of Africa, the mountains of Argentina and the chill of Russia will come together on BYU's campus through a new program called Cultures On Display.
One of the 110 countries from around the world represented at BYU will be presented in the Ernest L. Wilkinson Center each week.
Students who are both from the country and who have lived or served missions there will present the country's culture through posters, maps, videos, music, food, costumes and souvenirs from the area.
Stefanie Vance, 23, a senior from Gilbert, Ariz., majoring in sociology, organized and initiated the program with Brenda Wadley of the International Services office.
She spoke to Wadley during Winter Semester because she thought BYU needed more awareness of cultures on its campus.
Vance said a similar program has been on campus before but was discontinued. She hopes to have countries from at least every continent displayed during the summer.
'The students doing this want others to know about their cultures,' Vance said.
Gabriela Hernandez, 19, a junior from Maracaibo, Venezuela, majoring in sociology, is presenting her country this week. She said she was contacted by Vance to do a display and was glad to do it.
'More people need to know about the many different cultures at the university,' she said. 'I thought it was a good idea (to do this) because we should show more and let students know about us.'
Hernandez has a map showing where Venezuela is located. She shows a video of the country and its sites, including waterfalls, vegetation and people. She gives samples of Venezuelan cuisine and has posters, flags, pottery and other traditional objects indigenous to her country.
'My country is beautiful - we have too much beauty,' said Pevro Moreno, 24, a freshman from Merida, Venezuela majoring in languages.
Moreno stopped by the display after realizing it was his country being presented.
'I think (this) is good because it lets people know what we are and why we are here.'
Moreno said Venezuela is very different from the United States. He came because he is LDS and 'this is the place.'
The booths will be set up next to the CougarEat during lunch hours each Tuesday and Wednesday.
Argentina will be on display next week. Anyone interested in representing their country in the display can call the International Services office.