An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/90605
Key COVER FEATURE Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates rich cultural stories 69th HOLIDAY FOLK FAIR International celebrates its 69th anniversary Nov. 16-18, once again providing the opportunity to travel around the globe without a airline tickets, hotel reservations or jet lag. Held in the Wisconsin Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., the three-day celebration features tantalizing foods, irresistible music, intriguing dance performances and a vast array of exhibits and merchandise. Produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee-based nonprofit social service organization dedicated to racial, cultural and ethnic understanding, the award-winning event is one of the oldest and largest festivals of its kind. Fair-goers have the opportunity to learn the ways in which music, food, dance, and art explain a culture's history and traditions. This year's theme is "Celebrate the Culture of the Story." Al Durtka, president of the International Institute, explains that "stories reflect the rich cultural heritage of the generations before us and lead us to understand how our past has influenced our present." "Although speaking is our primary way to communicate powerful stories, communication does not stop with the spoken word" adds Durtka. "All cultures tell stories, enhancing them with body language, food dance, art, music, crafts, literature and 8 rites. If we take the time to listen to each other's stories, we will find that we have more in common than appears at first glance. The magic of stories is that they tell us who we are, both as teller and listener. " Capturing the spirit of this exchange is a special exhibit "One World, One People." This multi-media exhibit of photographs by Rodger Randle, features five HD screens. The exhibit was designed to show that basic human values are universal the world over, even though people may look, dress, and live very differently. Another exhibit by Sister Cities International features the winners and finalists for the organization's 2012 Young Artists and Authors Showcase. For more than 20 years, the showcase has given youth from around the globe the opportunity to artistically express their vision for a more unified peaceful world. Young artists and authors reflected on the 2012 theme "Youth as a Catalyst for Change" through visual media, poetry and essays. Other special features this year include a photo exhibit of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition, the popular bonsai exhibit returns for 2012. Representatives from Old World Wisconsin will demonstrate food preservation techniques and flax spinning and weaving. The wood turners return with an expanded area, and new papercutters will fascinate with their artistic technique.