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Middfest International: Promotes Peace & Understanding
an article by Michele Black Abrams

MIDDFEST INTERNATIONAL 2013 THIRD RETROSPECTIVE has celebrated "peace tourism" every year for the past 30 years here in the United States, Middletown, Ohio! Often referred to as the "heartland" of the United States, MIDDFEST INTERNATIONAL has provided unique international cultural/educational opportunities for tens of thousands of visitors.



click on photo to enlarge

Originally developed to highlight a specific country each year in terms of their trade with local companies, MIDDFEST organizers planned and produced this annual celebration of a country through international trade sessions involving the country's Ambassador/trade representatives;sessions featuring both performing artists as well as fine artists, authors,lecturers,and culinary specialists who often travelled from their native country to live with host families throughout the Middletown area for the Middfest Celebration, always scheduled for the first weekend in October. As a lead in to the weekend, these MIDFEST guests would share in performance of their native dance,vocal,instrumental talents in many area schools.

Additional information about MIDDFEST INTERNATIONAL can be found at MIDDFEST INTERNATIONAL.ORG.

What We’re About

Middfest International has been celebrating our neighbor countries for three decades!

Middfest International is a premiere cultural event with dance, music and food of many countries throughout the world. Held annually in Middletown, Ohio, USA, Middfest has celebrated a different country each year since 1981. In 1995, Middfest won the prestigious Post-Corbett Award as the "Extraordinary Event" in the greater Cincinnati area and the Fitton Center for the Arts "Ambassador for the Arts Award" for outstanding organization in 1998.

1981 - Luxembourg
1982 - Mexico
1983 - Egypt
1984 - Brazil
1985 - Japan
1986 - Switzerland
1987 - Canada
1988 - Italy
1989 - India
1990 - Ireland
1991 - 10 Country Retrospective
1992 - Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Martinique)
1993 - Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia
1994 - New Zealand
1995 - Senegal & The Gambia
1996 - Argentina
1997 - Norway
1998 - Korea
1999 - South Africa
2000 - Turkey
​2001 - Greece
​2002 - 20 Year, 25 Country Retrospective
2003 - Scotland
​2004 - Chile
2005- 25 Year, 30 Country Retrospective
2006- China
2007- Netherlands
2008- Mongolia
2009- Indonesia
2010- Botswana
2011- Peru
2012- France
2013- 30 Year, 35 Country Celebration

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:


How can tourism promote a culture of peace? ,

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LATEST READER COMMENT:

Why tourism?

Can tourism be seen as an instrument to achieve complicity between people’s minds?

“There is nothing better that connects two people’s mind than a good conversation” The above quote could be used to describe the effect which tourism has on people. Like a great conversation, tourism could be said to play a vital role amongst people all over the world. It fosters communication in all its senses, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.  

In today’s world it is evident that there is a shortage of moral or ethical values amongst people across the different nations in this world, resulting in a globalised world lacking these morals and ethical values. Ignorance, the failure to consider the needs of others, and selfishness are a few of the ways which hinder us from embracing diversity and a common human perspective, which  would result informal empathy, internal moral compassion, tolerance of differences, historical consciousness and interpretation. The above mentioned features are intrinsic, inherent and can be found in the practice of tourism.

Tourism has been emphasized as one of the most effective instruments which continue to tackle to tackle social and economical poverty, as well as encourage the culture of peace practice amongst people. In looking at the UN architecture, one is able to see the growing implications which the tourism sector has on the world and world policies. . ...more.


This report was posted on October 6, 2013.