Cultural Conversations

Cultural Conversations A diverse community is a respectful community, rich in ideas and shared experiences. Cultural Conversations is a new program co-sponsored by Brooks Library, the Ellensburg Public Library, and CWU’s Office for International Studies & Programs. It is an opportunity to hear different views, to practice empathetic listening and speaking, to learn a new culture through storytelling, and explore deep and relevant topics together. Our second event will be held Tuesday, April 16, at the Hal Holmes Community Center (201 Ruby Street, downtown) with guest storyteller, Dr. Szilárd Vajda. Szilárd was born in Transylvania, Romania as a Hungarian minority under the regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. He was raised in a multicultural environment allowing him to embrace influences from Romanian, German, Jewish and Gipsy culture alongside his own Hungarian heritage. Due to his studies he traveled intensively in countries such as Hungary, France, Germany, Japan, India and United States. The years spent in these countries allowed him to study the culture, language and customs of these nations and how they relate to immigrants. He will discuss his role of "professional immigrant" and how this changed his identity from a citizen originating behind the Iron Curtain to a proud world citizen. Szilárd talk will be followed by small group conversations. Light refreshments provided. Free and open to all. For more information go to: http://www.lib.cwu.edu/events-calendar Sponsor/contact information: Maureen Rust / mrust@cwu.edu