February 10, 2006
International Festival opens Feb. 14
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A group of Buddhist monks will perform the ancient art of sand painting during next week's International Festival at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Organizers say the monks, who are touring the United States on a goodwill mission, are a unique addition to the annual festival, which runs Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, at the SIUC Student Center.
"The sand painting is a really wonderful way for them to educate people about the beauty behind their religion, " said Carla Coppi, associate director of International Students and Scholars at SIUC, who is helping organize the event.
The monks will start the festival by blessing the area where they will create the intricate, painstaking piece of art. In the following days, those attending can watch as the monks create the painting – called a "mandala" – a few grains at a time using specialized tools.
On the final day of the ceremony, when the piece is complete, the monks will ceremoniously blow the sand away, Coppi said.
"It's very symbolic of creation and deconstruction," Coppi said. "It's quite moving and emotional."
The monks will give the sand away, encouraging the recipients to throw it in a moving body of water, so that it may continue its journey throughout the world, Coppi said.
The International Student Council and Special Programs and Center Events at the Student Center coordinate the event.
The mandala creation is only one aspect of the event, which is famous for colorful selection of cultural items, food, film and music.
Here is the schedule of events:
Tuesday, Feb. 14
• International Bazaar, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Hall of Fame.
• German Cuisine, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Old Main Restaurant.
• International Programs & Services Reception, 6 p.m., J.W. Corker Lounge.
• Proclamation, followed by "Mystical Arts of Tibet," 7 p.m., Ballroom D.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
• Dutch Cuisine, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Old Main Restaurant.
• Food Fair, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., ballrooms.
• Free film showing: "City of God," 7 p.m., auditorium.
• Ongoing mandala construction.
Thursday, Feb. 16
• Brazilian Cuisine, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Old Main Restaurant.
• Noon Tunes featuring Polka Dogs, noon-1 p.m., Roman Room.
• Ongoing mandala construction.
Friday, Feb. 17
• International Buffet, 5-7 p.m., Renaissance Room. Tickets are on sale at the Central Ticket Office, second floor of the Student Center. Tickets for SIUC students, seniors and children are $9.25 in advance or $10.50 at the door. General public tickets are $10.25 in advance or $11.50 at the door.
• Ongoing mandala construction.
• Closing ceremonies, "Mystical Arts of Tibet," 7 p.m., International Lounge West.
• Cultural Show, 7:30-9:30 p.m., ballrooms.
Developing citizen-leaders with global perspectives is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.