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VIRGINIA BEACH — The Art of Living Foundation Hampton Roads says it’s time for people to reconnect after the pandemic kept them separated. And nothing brings people together like song, dance and good food.
All three will be supplied Saturday at the World Culture Festival Hampton Roads.
The festival will be held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and feature dance performances, live music, global cuisines, meditation and wellness classes.
“During the pandemic, people got really isolated. People were feeling very lonely,” said Raji Kaloji, an event organizer and Virginia Beach pediatrician who witnessed the negative effects that school closings, fewer in-person interactions and national unrest had on her patients.
The Art of Living is an international humanitarian nonprofit. It teaches Indian meditation and breathing techniques meant to reduce stress and make people feel more connected to the communities around them.
Kaloji began to see how powerful multicultural understanding, awareness and harmony could be during the throes of COVID-19.
“We need to understand and respect everyone else’s differences and to help the kids and help the adults that are going through mental health issues,” Kaloji said.
The festival will feature Ukrainian, Panamanian, Irish and Greek dance performances, and the Tidewater Pipes and Drums.
“And there is, of course, going to be Indian classical and Indian folk dancing.”
Weekend Scoop
The festival includes an 11:30 a.m. communal meditation session, and wellness sessions will be held throughout the day. High school students will have informational booths about geography and activities for children.
Colin Warren-Hicks, 919-818-8139, colin.warrenhicks@virginiamedia.com
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If you go
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.
Tickets: Start at $5. $10 at the door. Free for children 15 and younger.
Details: worldculturefest.com