International Bazaar celebrated

The bazaar included international food and dance.

By Ryan Curtis

Published Sept. 22, 2009

Correction appended

The 33rd annual International Bazaar and second annual International Day took place Tuesday, representing countries from around the world.

A world-music song selection, crafted by Missouri International Student Council President Vamsi Kanuri, played during the event in Stotler Lounge.

The event was originally planned to be held in Lowry Mall but was brought inside due to expectant rain.

Among the attractions were international foods, such as Korea’s burgugi, stir-fried beef with kimchi, and India’s dal makhani, a lentil dish.

“I enjoyed the kimchi since I don’t eat meat,” senior Vince Foley said.

The Korean side dish known as kimchi is made of pickled vegetables, typically baechu, or cabbage. The dish has been served for about 3,000 years.

To cleanse the palette between booths, Abdurrahman Alshiha from the Saudi Students Association, a first-year organization at MU, served coffee and dates.

“Saudi coffee is milder by itself than typical varieties, but is given a unique flavor due to a blend of herbs and spices,” Alshiha said.

Alshiha was dressed in typical Saudi garments: a thawb, or robe, which changes from white to colored according to season, and a keffiyeh, a checked scarf popular among American hipsters.

Another new organization at the Bazaar was the MU Dance and Recreation Association.

Founded in 2008, the group now has more than 20 members who attend workshops in Columbia and St. Louis on Eastern dances, such as Odissi, an ancient meditative dance similar to yoga.

Also, a Hindi organization, Vedic Society of MU, recently underwent a revival.

“Dr. Ranadhir Mitra, faculty adviser of Vedic Society sparked a lot of new interests last year and increased membership,” said Nilotpal Sanyal, statistics professor and secretary of Vedic Society.