As a prelude to this preview of WorldFest (Sept. 2 -5), the present iteration of the festival dates to 2003 and was a successful effort by the city of Louisville to revive the spirit of heritage weekends, which had faded away some years before.
Food & Dining Magazine’s founder and publisher John Carlos White was instrumental at WorldFest’s inception in 2003, ironically around the same time he had a second launch on his hands: F&D itself. As with WorldFest this weekend, we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary quite soon.
Here’s the pitch: It’s 2022 and WorldFest is back, and once again the Belvedere will host a celebration of Louisville’s diversity, featuring music, dance, culture and education. It’s a sensory overload, with so much to do, see and learn, although what keeps many of us marking our calendars each year is the international cuisine.
Food choices vary from year to year, and the mystery makes an afternoon’s foraging great fun. Looking back at articles and reviews from previous WorldFest weekends yields a glimpse of the possibilities: Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Colombian, Chinese, German, Turkish, Cuban, Somali and many other cuisines reflecting the international character of Louisville.
With over 100 languages spoken in the Louisville public schools and 35 percent of the city’s population growth over the past 17 years coming from international residents from over 150 different countries throughout the world, Louisville is more culturally diverse than ever before.
“Cities that embrace and encourage their international citizens and cultures will thrive, have a stronger quality of life and will attract new growth and jobs,” says Mayor Greg Fischer at the festival’s web site. “WorldFest is a great event for exploring and celebrating Louisville’s many faces and cultures and we always look to make it more vibrant, diverse and educational. So, it’s exciting to add many new features and attractions for the WorldFest this year.”
WorldFest is located at the Belvedere, with the entrance at 5th and Main Streets. Admittance is free of charge, and hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday – Sunday) and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.
In closing, here is an important facet of WorldFest weekend that might be overshadowed by the revelry.
From food vendors to performers, here’s your complete guide to WorldFest 2022, by Jason Gonzalez (Louisville Courier Journal)
On Friday, a naturalization ceremony will be held at the Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. 6th St., where more than 60 immigrants will be granted U.S. citizenship status. The Parade of Cultures will take place on the following day when residents will march down 5th Street to the Belvedere in their native garments.
