Panoply’s unique Global Village is a BIG hit,
highlighting the traditions of multiple countries
in a display that opens a doorway to our area’s diverse,
international culture – a very rare regional opportunity!
Photo by Brian Jones, Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel
Various pavilions featuring hosts from participating countries and nations boast arts and crafts, games, travel information, and examples of traditions spotlighting various customs from around the world…the hosts dress the part, too! The pavilions for 2010 are:
Caribbean Islands, Sponsored by Dynetics, Inc.
China
Colombia, Sponsored by Wells Fargo
Iran
Korea
Pakistan
Poland
United Kingdom, Sponsored by LogiCore
The Pakistan Pavilion is the 2010 winner of “Best Overall Display.” The China Pavilion won “Best Children’s Craft,” which included creating Beijing Opera Facemasks and Chinese Calligraphy/Chinese Knot Bookmarks.
The heart of the village is our popular “International Performing Arts Stage,” sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities and Publix, a showcase for dance, music (such as the sitar player, below), martial arts, and fashions from all over the globe.
Photo by Richard E. Clary
In addition, children are invited to learn a game, create a craft item, or otherwise delve into the artwork representative of each pavilion’s “native land.” FREE hands-on activities may range from Polish Easter egg decorating to temporary henna skin decorations (known as mendhi) to the creation of origami to making your own boomerang!
No wonder the tents stay so crowded! Kids of ALL ages love the Global Village!