If you live in St. Louis, you probably know this festival, but for the people who are not from St. Louis, this is one of the events that you want to attend this time of the year.

In my previous article, I did say that I love festivals, but this one was my first festival when I arrived in this country in 2010. Since then, I have been excited to go every year just for the variety of food they have.

Thanks to the International Institute and several donations, the group is able to make an effort to work with the international community and unify the community with food, music and other activities that the festival offers.

The audience enjoining the folklore dance of the Cumbia originally from Colombia.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

The Festival of Nations Started in 2000, and this year makes the 16th anniversary of the multicultural events the city of St. Louis has to offer. It is organized by the International Institute of St. Louis, who serve as valuable resources to national policy makers, local communities, governmental bodies and human service agencies. Since 1919, the Institute has been helping immigrant families become productive Americans and expanding their ethnic diversity in a cultural way and as well as their economic strength.

People drinking their beverages and eating their food under the shadow of a tree.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

On stage Autumn's Child a native American Group playing music.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

A representation of multi-ethnic Latin dances live.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

The world Bazzar is also known as the market from different countries selling all types of different products to the public.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

Forty-one food booths were in the festival — each one was from a different country.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

I asked Gary Broome, the marketing coordinator of the festival, about what made this particular festival special. He said it is the people who contribute that make it unique.

Even in the times that we are living in with the election and the racial tension, it didn’t stop the people of St. Louis from celebrating diversity. The people from the festival were serving very diverse food to the public. From Miguel Lopez serving his tacos al pastor to Zeggai Kidane serving food from Eritrean. Even Sunisa Payne with her delicious Thai Mango Iced-tea. All the people in the festival had a real good time, and the environment of unification was present everywhere.

Miguel Lopez at his booth representing Mexico with Tacos al pastor.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

The Thai food booth from the restaurant Sunisa's Thai serving to the public.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos

The Eritrean food booth making conversation with a costumer.
Credit Image: Claudio Cobos