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Posted: November 3, 2006
When Piri Sina moved to North Texas four months ago, he never thought he’d find a taste of his homeland, Turkey, just 15 minutes from his home. Plano’s October 21, 2006 International Festival brought together a veritable United Nations of countries as an estimated 30 nations enticed attendees with cultural displays, performances, workshops, food and other activities.
Raised in Mersin, Turkey, a thriving seaport, Mr. Sina has been a resident of the United States for over 20 years, applying for citizenship shortly after his arrival. “I relocated to North Texas from Bloomington, Illinois just a few months ago,” he advised. “When I told my family my job was transferring me to Plano they thought, as did I, that we’d be ending up in a land of cowboys and cactus. Living here has been a most wonderful surprise.”
Most new residents to Plano share the impression of “cowboys and cactus,” when first hearing they will be residing in “Texas.” What they find, however, is a thriving business and residential community of nearly 256,000 persons, with an unbeatable international flair.
The International Festival, Plano’s second in as many years, showcased some of the rich tapestry of cultures represented in Plano. Nepal, the Philippines, China, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Viet Nam, Sri Lanka, India, Uzbekistan, Russia, Sweden, Africa and the great state of Hawaii were but a taste of the multi-cultural delights for the hundreds of Plano and local residents who flooded historic Haggard Park. Many were introduced to new customs and edible delicacies while many more, such as Mr. Sina and his family, found an unexpected taste of home.
The Plano International Festival was conceived by Plano’s Multicultural Outreach Roundtable to showcase and celebrate the many cultures represented by the citizens of Plano. It was designed to promote awareness of cultural diversity and facilitate communication between all cultural groups. It also serves to advance Plano’s visibility and standing as an international city.
The Multicultural Outreach Roundtable seeks input and makes recommendations to the City Council on methods, practices, programs and other means by which the city of Plano can effectively serve the entire community and meet the objectives of local government. It partners with City Council and the citizens of Plano to encourage understanding and participation in the government process and the needs and desires of its diverse citizens.
You may sign up, via ListServ, to receive email information from the Multicultural Outreach Roundtable by clicking here.
To view photos of the 2006 International Festival, click here.
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