By Michael Mandigo, Staff Writer
The fellows of the language department hosted the language carnival at Trax on March 22 to showcase the different cultures associated with the languages taught at Susquehanna.
The 2018-19 language fellows who hosted the event were Steffen Mausehund, Emiliana Russo, Chloe Bour-Lang, Marta Mancebón Palos and Pablo Millán Carbonell.
“It’s an opportunity for all students to get to know not only the different European, Chinese cultures,” Mausehund explained, “but also to meet other students interested in languages, exchange their language and cultural experiences and celebrate carnival in a diverse and open-minded environment.”
The event consisted of food, costumes, games and music that showcased different aspects of the cultures present.
There was food available to those who attended, allowing students to try different foods from different culture including German, French, Italian and Spanish.
The bar served alcoholic drinks from different countries, one being German beer.
Some who attended the carnival dressed up in different costumes. Most of the fellows were dressed as superheroes, others presented as animals, food and royalty. Some attendees wore outfits of certain cultures like traditional German dress.
Much of the music featured at the carnival was from the countries represented such as German and Italian pop music as well as some well-known American pop music.
Through the duration of the event, more and more people began to show up the dance floor.
While other were dancing, the event also provided games for students to participate in.
Every language section had its own table with various games that were culture or language-based.
If the participant won the game, they would get a sticker which would be used for a prize at the end of the carnival.
At the Spanish table, participants had to try and read a Spanish word behind various cups of water of different clarity.
The German table had a game called cup pong where players where given a city and had to guess which country it belonged to. If they got it right, they got a chance to throw a ping pong into a cup, when they get it in they guess the next city.
After every correct answer a new cup is stacked on top of the ping pong ball in the previous cup. The player wins after he or she has stacked five cups.
Freshman Tara Gardner ran the cup game at the German table, she said: “I think it is a great way for students to experience cultures different from our own.”
“It gave an amazing opportunity for international students to share their cultures with others,” Gardner continued.
Another table was the Italian table which featured charades and guess the recipe where the participants had to guess the ingredients of several international dishes.
There were some technical difficulties, but overall the fellows were pleased with the outcome.
“The carnival event did not go as it was planned, but it worked out pretty well. Everyone had fun and everyone contributed somehow to make it a great evening. The spirit of carnival is basically about wearing costumes and bringing people together. Any excuse is good nowadays to enjoy this social gathering moments. And last Friday was one of those moments,” Mancebón Palos said.
“Plenty of students supported us, faculty members helped, Trax people and… the clubs! The international club, the Italian club, the French club… Their effort was definitely something to be proud of! And all of it together combined into a fun evening together,” she continued.