Smells of exotic foods and the music of faraway lands will permeate the air at International Festival -- "A Celebration of Spring" March 29 through April 4 on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

International students and their friends will sponsor the week-long festival that will feature events that focus attention on the 179 international students from 37 countries enrolled at Southeast. All events are free and open to the public. Children are welcome.

The kick-off event will be an International Carnival from 4 to 7 p.m. March 29 in the Student Recreation Center (the south entrance of the Show Me Center). This year's theme, "Spring Holidays Around the World" focuses on the festivals that occur during springtime in the home countries of the students.

The Student Recreation Center will feature a performance stage, surrounded by display booths attended by students dressed in traditional clothing. Free foods representative of their cultures will be offered. On the stage, performers from various countries will give demonstrations of traditional dances, skits and songs representing the cultural holidays that take place in their regions during the springtime.

Following the carnival, a series of Regional Focus Days will educate and entertain while featuring students from cultures of the world. They will set up displays of artifacts, crafts, music and foods from their home countries and cultures. Some will demonstrate calligraphy and write visitors' names in their languages. Some may demonstrate popular and folk dances from their home countries. Children and school classes are especially encouraged to participate in this portion of the festival.

The Regional Focus Days will be March 31 and continue through April 3, each day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center lobby. March 31 will be Africa Day, April 1 will be Asia and Oceania Day, April 2 will be Latin and North America Day and April 3 will be Europe, Russia and the Mediterranean Day.

The International Festival will come to a close April 4 with a concert at 3 p.m. The Caribbean sounds of the reggae band Reggae At Will are expected to bring springtime warmth to the University Terraces in an outdoor concert jam. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Student Recreation Center.