The Portland Observer (Portland, OR) 
September 7, 2005 

GLOBAL FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING 
Humanity theme of annual Sept. 11 gathering
By Nancy McCarthy

LEFT: Volunteers for the Global Portland Festival include Kayse Jama (from left), Ann Kasper, Scott Beck, and Mary Prottsman. Sunday's multicultural celebration at Holladay Park in northeast Portland is scheduled on the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 to honor our common humanity. Photo by Mark Washington/The Portland Observer
RIGHT: Chata Addy, a talented drummer and dancer from Ghana, West Africa, will perform at the Global Portland Festival.

Holladay Park across from Lloyd Center in northeast Portland will soon have the whole world in its hands - or at least part of it.

A diverse gathering of multicultural entertainment will be featured at the Global Portland Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11 from noon to 6 p.m., in its second year of "crossing the borders" to promote interracial unity.

A brainchild of the Community Language and Culture Bank [now called the Center for Intercultural Organizing], the volunteer-based festival is a culmination of more than 40 local organizations. Through speakers, world music and dance, workshops, yummy food and a children's area, attendees are bound to have their eyes opened to countless cultures outside of their common realm, including those of Cuba, Poland, Senegal, Ghana, Palestine, Iran, Korea and many others.

The gathering boasted more than 3,000 people in its first year. 

"It started it as a time and space for all Portlanders to gather together and build some relationships where there's usually a lot of division and a lack of awareness of who people are," said Scott Beck, a volunteer with Community Language and Culture Bank. 

One out of every eight residents of Portland is of immigrant status, which is why it's so important to celebrate the growing community.

"It's becoming increasingly apparent that we're already interconnected," Beck said. "This is a chance to recognize that there are a lot of different people already living in Portland and to learn from each other and grow together in a place where we can easily remain isolated. It's to have some common ground through recognizing that common human interconnection to build a chance for peace here, hopefully other cities and in international relations."

Mayor Tom Potter and City Commissioner Sam Adams, along with other area leaders, are also scheduled to speak on the importance of understanding diversity.

The Global Portland Festival is free and open to the public, rain or shine. For more information, visit www.interculturalorganizing.org.

Copyright 2005 The Portland Observer