On April 25, The Intercultural Center held its annual culture showcase “Culture X” in the Levin Ballroom. Culture X is the final show presented by the different culture groups that make up the ICC. This year's theme was “Woven Worlds” which explored the different ways that cultures intersect and also the different ways in which we interact with our own cultures. The showcase featured performances from Brandeis’ expansive collection of culture groups, as well as a performance by a local Waltham group called Africano Waltham, a community-led nonprofit group that is dedicated to supporting African immigrants and their families, as well as connecting families and children to African culture stateside. The African dances were coupled with traditional instruments. The dancers were not only skilled and beautiful in their movements, but the pure joy on their faces translated through to the audience. Their performance was professional and inspiring. The choice to add Africano Waltham as one of the performances of the night highlights the broader scope of the ICC and reinforces the idea that our culture is not just contained to one community, but seeps into the broader world around us. 

During my time at Culture X, I was able to talk with one of the student volunteers, Unique Zhang ’29. Zhang reflected on her time putting the event together and also as a member of the audience. She added, “Culture X is an annual performance that I’d describe as a melting pot of different cultures present here at Brandeis. It’s organized by the ICC, but the different cultural groups are the real stars of the show. From dance, musical, and literary performances, each group shows off a variety of talent, which is why it’s so important to have events like these. I think at Brandeis, sometimes it’s easy to ignore or not notice the beauty of student life, but when you see cultural shows like what Culture X is putting on, it reminds you how diverse and interesting the students make life at Brandeis. I often feel like I get sucked into the academic world and feel culturally isolated, but when I heard that Culture X was putting on this display, I immediately knew I wanted to join. Seeing how hard the Culture X team worked to brainstorm the set design, to set up the background and to finally put on an amazing show that everyone’s proud of is really inspiring to see. Not only that, but seeing the passion each group has on that stage is outstanding, and is what makes the Brandeis population true to itself.” Her reflection encourages students and people alike to not only actively engage in their own culture, but also highlights the importance of engaging in the culture of those around us. Culture X, in its existence, is a way for Brandeis students to remember that we all make up the fabric of the greater University that surrounds us and reminds students that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves.” 

The showcase also featured performances from the Korean Student Association, which displayed an upbeat pop dance performance, highlighting current K-pop hits. This dance was not only engaging but also a fun display of the art of K-pop that made the audience want to join the performers on stage. Other notable performers were Ria Escamilla-Gil ’27, who delivered two original poems. Escamilla-Gil’s poetry was captivating and timely as she spoke about her experience as a Mexican-American at a time when Latin Americans are under attack by the current administration. She was able to artfully capture the American immigrant experience and to elicit a fire in the hearts of viewers, showcasing the importance of her works. Her second piece was written entirely in Spanish. Even for audience members who do not speak the language, this piece still held the weight of her first poem, as the words felt just as powerful. Both of her poems were able to engage audience members in a conversation about what it means to engage in culture actively — one of these ways is learning the languages of the cultures you are a part of. Escamilla-Gil, at the conclusion of the event, was also awarded for her continued dedication to Brandeis’ ICC and her overall impact on the Brandeis community. 

Woven Worlds was a beautiful display of different cultures that we interact with in our everyday lives as students at Brandeis University. Culture X is an event that encourages students to delve into their own cultures, as well as engage meaningfully with the cultures around them. As Unique mentioned earlier, the beauty of Culture X is the focus on Brandeis as a melting pot of culture. The ICC and the Culture X event highlight the importance of cultural expression, giving students creative outlets to engage with each other both as performers and audience members. Overall, we extend a big congratulations to all of the performers in the Culture X show and thank the Brandeis Intercultural Center for putting together this showcase of culture and creative expression.