HCC and ISU host Southeast Asian Cultural Festival

NORMAL, Ill. –  Illinois State University and Heartland Community College are collaborating to host the Southeast Asian Cultural Festival from April 1 to April 4, offering students and community members an opportunity to explore the vibrant cultures of Southeast Asia.

 HCC Study Abroad Coordinator Zachary Petrea, shared insights into the planning process and the festival’s significance.

“This is the third year this festival will be taking place,” Petrea said. “Each year, we focus on a different geographical region to highlight aspects of our community that people may not be familiar with. This year, we’re focusing on Southeast Asia, and we have various events at both Heartland and ISU to showcase the cultural and economic aspects of that region.”

Planning for the festival is a yearlong process, with event organizers already looking ahead to next year’s events. 

 This is our second year partnering with ISU, and we started planning everything last year after the previous festival,” Petrea said. “We’re already in discussions for next year’s event, which will mark year four.”

The festival will highlight the rich traditions of Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Attendees can experience a range of cultural activities, such as yoga and meditation, martial arts and traditional dance

The full schedule of events can be found on both the Illinois State University and Heartland Community College websites.