Sofia and Diego Escobar of Alexandria are dressed as Mexicans at the International Photo Booth. Photo by Steve Hibbard.
About 400 people attended Fort Hunt Elementary School’s fifth-annual Dance Around the World event, which included an international buffet, dance performances, and a parade of nations on Friday, Feb. 9 at the school. The free family event was sponsored by the school’s PTA.
“Dance Around the World is designed to put a spotlight on the amazing diversity we have here at Fort Hunt,” said Karin Kulinski, who co-chaired the evening with Amanda Socci. About 12 volunteers helped with the planning. “We have over 70 different countries or cultural heritages represented. A lot of times the families of different countries end up left out of family events. This one is the opposite. This one puts a spotlight on those families and every other family.”
Kulinski said 48 families donated international dishes from their native countries — from Mexican Mole to Turkish Baklava. And professional dance troupes from Bolivia, China and Peru entertained the crowd. A deejay played international songs from Australia, the UK, and even Norway. Another highlight was the 17 Country Tables that lined the decorated hallway. “We offered families the chance to have a table to display their artifacts from their culture,” she said. “So, every aspect of this is international because that reflects us.”