Diverse groups celebrate diversity at Northern

Culture from Hawaii, Colombia and Serbia highlighted Saturday's Second Annual Festival of Nations at Montana State University-Northern.

A dance troupe with Colombian traditions, a Hula dancer and a Northern basketball player from Serbia entertained and educated the crowd in the Student Union Building.

Many people got in the spirit of it all and came dressed in the attire of other nations. Cristina Estrada-Underwood, the diversity director at Northern, came in Indian attire, though she is a Mexican-American.

The Colombian dancers came from Alberta and performed many dances for the crowd.

Northern student Nicholas Ivanovic told of the history and culture of his native country of Serbia.

He spoke of the colorful history of his country, which dates back to the ninth century and runs right up to the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

He listed off the major wars his country has been involved in, including its key role in World War I.

He said his country's involvement in World War II may be seen as stupid by some.

German dictator Adolph Hitler wanted to use Serbia as a stepping stone to other countries in the region, but the Serbs resisted, he said.

"Serbs can be kind of stubborn that way," he said.

He told of the country's culture and its religion, Greek Orthodox. He passed around a prayer card from St. Nicholas, his patron saint.

He said he was proud of his native country, but when he graduates, he hopes to stay in Montana.

"I really like it here," he said.

The show wrapped up with a hula dancer, Ophelia Gustafson.