Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate the cultures of its international students during International Festival '97, April 6-11.

The festival will be held during inauguration week. Dr. Dale Nitzschke will be inaugurated April 10 as Southeast's 16th president.

The theme for this year's International Festival is "Passport to Tomorrow," in keeping with the inaugural theme of "Creating Tomorrow."

Each person attending the festival will receive a "diplomatic passport" to the activities, complete with visa pages to be marked with souvenir "visas" of their visits to the various displays and events.

Admission is free to all festival events.

The festival offers area residents and the campus community a window on the world.

"I hope that people understand the importance of having connections with the entire world," said George Dordoni, assistant director of the Campus Assistance Center.

Dordoni advises international students at Southeast. He said the festival gives people a chance to visit with international students and learn about other cultures.

The festival kicks off April 6 with an international carnival in the Student Recreation Center, from 4-9 p.m.

A permanent display of 50 flags, representing the countries of Southeast's 230 international students, will be dedicated between 7 and 8 p.m..

International students will sing and dance on a stage set up in the Recreation Center. Students will prepare native dishes and offer the food to the public free of charge.

"People will be able to take a taste trip around the world," said Dordoni.

The weeklong festival honors a different region of the world each day in the University Center lobby. The lobby events will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days.

April 7 is Europe Day. European students will have displays and food, dress in traditional clothes and demonstrate traditional dances.

At 11 a.m., Dr. Jean Benton's university class will hold a roundtable discussion with European students in the Missouriana Room at the University Center.

At 5 p.m., university students will how a show with native European dances. National anthems of the various countries will be performed.

April 8 is Asia and Middle East Day. Asian students will have booths to showcase their cultures and cooking.

April 9 is Africa Day. African snack foods will be sold, and dances and music will be performed.

At noon, there will be a global drumming program in the University Center Ballroom.

On April 10, some 43 international students will carry the flags of their countries in the processional at the 2 p.m. inauguration of Nitzschke at the Show Me Center.

On April 11, Latin/North American Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Center. The day will include displays, food and music.

At 3:30 p.m., the Central American Student Association will give dancing and drumming demonstrations in Kent Library Little Theatre.