Holiday Folk Fair International Announces 2023 Theme and Featured Food

MILWAUKEE, WIS. – Representatives of the 80^th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival to be held Fri., Nov. 17 – Sun., Nov. 19, 2023, at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis., announced the event’s 2023 theme – “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dress.”

“Traditional Dress” encompasses garments, jewelry, and accessories rooted in the past worn by a specific group of people. Holding a special place in the cultures of the world, traditional dress will never go out of style, as it promotes both a sense of diversity and inclusion.

“Traditional wear is a symbol of one’s cultural heritage, communicating traditions, values, and beliefs. Wearing traditional clothing is a tangible way to see the culture as it is maintained, preserved, and passed down from generation to generation,” said Paul F. Trebian, President and CEO of the International Institute of Wisconsin, producers of the event. “Those who wear it feel a sense of pride in where they come from, and it prevents individuals from assimilating into the dominant culture and losing their sense of living heritage in the process. The clothing is a visual representation of a culture’s history, and a connection of its past to its present.”

While there may be cultural differences in language, worldviews, or customs, traditional dress does promote a sense of unity. In a globalized world, traditional dress plays an important role in cultural understanding and respect. By wearing traditional dress, one can share his or her culture with others, breaking down barriers and encouraging others to appreciate the cultural diversity our world inhabits.

“This diversity is our strength. The Holiday Folk Fair International continues to build bridges among diverse cultural communities, groups, and people,” Trebian said. “For 80 years, it has been a keeper of our world’s rich and diverse heritage, safeguarding the past, honoring the present, and embracing the future. It provides an opportunity for cultures from all over the world to showcase their traditions, dress, heritage, and languages that are unique and meaningful to them, that call them together, and that celebrate their stories.

The featured food at the 2023 Holiday Folk Fair will be rice, considered one of the most important foods in the world. “Half of the world’s population considers it a main part of a standard diet, and rice is responsible for one fifth of the calories consumed around the world,” said Trebian.

While rice is vital in Asia, Latin America, and Africa—with China and India producing over half of the world’s rice—it is eaten in a variety of dishes in most cultures. “Without rice, there wouldn’t be paella from Spain, risotto from Italy, fried rice from China, jollof from Africa, and sushi from Japan,” Trebian said. “In Asia, where rice originated, the words ‘food’ and ‘rice’ are almost identical in the different languages of the region. Rice, which is linked to wealth, fertility, prosperity, power, love, happiness, and religion in many cultures, nourishes the world’s appetites and sustains its cultural traditions.”

Special attractions in 2023 include invited international performers and artisans, photographic exhibits, the Artisan corner, the Wisconsin Woodturners, and a bonsai exhibit.

The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the World Café offering traditional dishes; the Tanzhauz where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings; the Coffee House where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians; Heritage Lane with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits; the International Bazaar, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience; and the Callen Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Hours will be 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 17; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 18; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 19.

Advance tickets, which will be available for purchase at the Folk Fair website beginning Monday, October 2, are $13 each for eight years old and up. Admission at the gate will be $16 for ages 8 – 61, with children up to age seven admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $14, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.

For more information on the 2023 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.