Celebrating is understanding where we come from to see where we can go.

From the Brazilian Carnaval to the Indian Diwali, from Chinese New Year’s Celebrations to German Fastnacht, from Guyanese Mashramani to English Hill Cheese Rolling, merrymaking is an important aspect of our humanity. It is through these rituals, these collective practices that we unleash the power of celebration—a force which allows us at once to honor our history, revel in togetherness, and, above all, connect.

For us, diversity is more than just an act.

We are interested in how we can make sense of our differences and come together. How can we see past cultural, social, and political limitations and develop a keen appreciation for our differences? How can we celebrate uniqueness in ways that transcend being a mere spectator? How can we truly celebrate diversity and learn from one another?

We believe celebration and community-making are founded in continuous action; and we invite you to do the same.

ISOs International Weekend and the ISO Carnival Show are some of our efforts to promote and cultivate a strong, open-minded, and critical multicultural community within Middlebury. We see cultural awareness as needing critical engagement—we propose to see with, rather than to look at. It is considering the importance of celebrating identities in ways that bridge difference that we have chosen Carnival as the theme of our first ISO International Weekend.