The Ames and ISU communities were treated Friday night to performances during the opening ceremony of International Week, hosted by the International Student Council in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

International Week, which is celebrating its 10th year, is a national event celebrated at many universities around the country, although Iowa State is the first land-grant university in Iowa to celebrate it.

This year, the theme is “Around the World in Eight Days.”

The event includes participants from 18 student organizations that will provide Iowa State with a sample of cultural dances, clothing and foods.

The opening ceremony began with an introduction by Elizabeth Hoffman, executive vice president and provost, and a cultural line dance by the Association of Malaysian Students at ISU. Following this, the crowd heard cultural songs from Asia, Europe and Africa performed by the Ames Children’s Choir. The audience then sampled a few dishes from the countries represented that evening, which included Nepal, Sri Lanka and India.

The evening continued with dances by the ISU Hip Hop Dance Club, the Organization of Latino Students, the African Students Association and a solo performance from a member of the Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association. Lezhi Wu, sophomore in biochemistry, brought the crowd of about 450 people to its feet with her traditional Chinese handkerchief dance.

“This is a chance for me to hang out with my friends and a good opportunity for me to learn about other people’s heritage,” said Yingsi Liang, freshman in pre-business.

During an intermission, the audience was able to take pictures of the organizations’ members in their cultural attire. The Association of Malaysian Students at ISU and the Celtic Dance Society were two of these groups.

The evening ended with an international fashion show and the awarding of International Student Council scholarships. The $250 scholarships, which encourage community involvement and leadership in Ames and ISU community by international students, were awarded to 12 students. The scholarship is primarily funded by council fundraisers, such as the International Food Fair held during Veishea and is available to both graduate and undergraduate students based on financial need.

Jack Payne, vice president for extension and outreach, summarized the event with the closing statement of the evening.

“The Iowa State international student experience is a portal to cultural literacy and promotes mutual understanding,” he said. “It creates a balance of theory and practice and, ultimately, it elevates teaching cultural diversity to the act of experiencing it.”

International Week events

Saturday: Appetizer and Dessert Fair, Lighthouse Ministry Center, 112 S. Sheldon Ave.

Sunday: Sports Tournament, Lied Recreation Athletic Center

Nov. 5-8: International Food, ISU Dining centers

Monday: Cultural Displays and International Fun Event, noon-4 p.m., Gallery, Memorial Union.

Tuesday: Religion and Prayer Night, 7-10 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union

Wednesday: Dating and Marriage Customs Around the World, 7-9 p.m., Gallery, Memorial Union.

Thursday: SUB Movie Night, “Babel,” Great Hall, Memorial Union

Friday: Closing Ceremony, 7-10 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union