In an area of southwest Ohio
surrounded by farmland and steel mills, Middletown is the
quintessential combination of the rural and industrial Midwest. But
each fall, Middletown bucks its small-town roots to host a large-scale
celebration of world culture.
This year,
Middfest International honors Botswana, a country in southern Africa,
with an October festival highlighting Botswanian arts and culture.
To
set the stage for authentic performances, food, sports, art exhibits
and children's programs, Middfest invites the featured country to "tell
its own story." Performers, artists, government officials and business
people travel to Middletown to present their country, their way of
life, and to promote "international understanding and peace."
Middletown
began hosting Middfest in 1981 with the small European country of
Luxembourg and has continued the international celebration each year
with countries including Ireland, Turkey and Chile, regions including
the Caribbean and Eastern Europe and, in 2005, the world's indigenous
peoples.
"It's a great opportunity for
exchange (between cultures)," says Christina Papakirk, Middfest's
marketing director. "It's an incredible experience and takes an
in-depth look at a country's culture." Both entertainment and education
are vital to Middfest.
The events are for all
ages and are filled with lectures and exhibits that inform, not just
amuse. "Our main focus is education," says Virginia Ritan, Middfest's
executive director. "We have a lot of speakers, lectures, exhibits,
films and documentaries to inform people about the country."
Botswana-themed
events take place all year, culminating in the major weekend
celebration at Middfest. Through Sept. 26, readers can join a Reading
Challenge to experience Botswana through Alexander McCall Smith's
books, including "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" and the HBO
series it launched. Anyone interested in the Books of Botswana
Challenge can join individually, integrate the books into an existing
book club, or form a new group to discuss Smith's work. Details are at
www.middfestinternational.org. Readers will be honored on Sunday, Sept.
26, at the Botswana Tea 'N Talk in the Middletown City Building. Dr.
Neil Parsons, author, historian and Botswana expert, will speak and
guests can participate in prize drawings, tour the exhibits and drink
red bush tea, a favorite of Precious Ramotswe, the main character in
"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."
During
the week prior to Middfest, performers visit area schools. The Saturday
morning of the celebration is Super Saturday and children are invited
to take a closer look at the exhibits and performances before the
celebration opens to the public. Ritan predicts the most popular event
will be an exhibit on "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," which will
include a re-creation of the detective agency's office and
re-enactments from the series by professional actors.
Ritan says the familiar book will spur excitement for exploring Botswana.
"When
we say we're doing Botswana, people just give me a confused look," she
says. "But when I mention (Smith's) books, then they recognize what I
mean and are excited."
Middfest includes a
Botswana-themed food court, stages for cultural music and performances,
lectures about the history of Botswana up until its creation as a
sovereign country, and a safari-themed youth park. And it won't just be
the event-goers who receive a lesson in culture. The foreign visitors
are sure to, as well. "We encourage (the visitors) to stay with local
families to get a real one-on-one experience," Ritan says. "They
sometimes form long-lasting friendships, with communication going on
for years."
Ritan, who has been involved with
Middfest since its inception, says working on the project fuels a
passion she has for learning about the world. "It's my favorite thing
to do. We need to know about the world and become connected in our
everyday lives."
Papakirk calls it learning in
a festive environment. "There's an old motto we had before that said
Middfest was 'bringing the world to Middletown.'
"And I think it's entirely true."