Central Goes International

Wide Range of International Cultures to Gather Downtown

St. Louis Public Library to Partner with International Institute for Cultural Festival

ST. LOUIS – Musicians, dancers, storytellers and artisans from across the globe will gather at Central Library in downtown St. Louis for “Central Goes International”, a cultural folk festival. The event, sponsored by the St. Louis Public Library and the International Institute of St. Louis, will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Central Library will utilize its dynamic gathering spaces to accommodate the variety of entertainment that will take place. The World Music Stage will feature Latin, Middle Eastern and Native American musical acts, while performances on the Dance Stage will range from African to Korean.

“Hundreds of cultural groups from around the world live in the city of St. Louis and still practice many of their traditions,” said Waller McGuire, executive director, St. Louis Public Library. “As the city’s center for knowledge and culture, are excited to present these diverse cultures in such an entertaining environment.”

Outside of the Central Library, the Christ Church Cathedral Flower Festival will offer outdoor entertainment, crafts and food. As part of the Flower Festival, the music group Downtime will perform in the afternoon.

“’Central Goes International’ will allow us to bring together so many of the cultures we serve on a day-to-day basis,” said Ann Rynearson, senior vice president for culture and community, International Institute – St. Louis. “Cultural variety has served an essential role in shaping St. Louis into what it is today, and we are excited to further educate the city through this event.”

“Central Goes International” also will offer crafts for children and adults as well as information and materials on world religion, languages, artists, musicians, maps, literature, genealogy, and more throughout the library.

The event is free to the public. For more information or a complete list of events, call (314) 539-0348. 

Founded in 1865, the St. Louis Public Library provides learning resources, entertainment and information services that support and improve individual, family, and community life in St. Louis.  With a staff of 300 working at 17 locations throughout the city of St. Louis, the  St. Louis Public Library recently ranked No. 2 among the nation’s urban libraries in a national study conducted by Central Connecticut State University  For information on the library’s programs and services, visit www.slpl.org.

The Dagen Fund, an endowed bequest managed by the St. Louis Public Library Foundation, has provided special funding for Central Goes International. Created in 1989, the Library Foundation supports the St. Louis Public Library's programs and services through fundraising and building relationships with others who share a passion for the library's work. Its pivotal project will be to undertake a capital campaign to support the complete restoration and modernization of the downtown Central Library, designed by American architect Cass Gilbert and built in 1912.

For more information, visit www.slplfoundation.org.

4/18/2008