Meridian International Center was proud to present the 3rd Annual International Childrens Festival, an educational fun-fair where embassies host booths highlighting their countries rich cultural heritage through exciting interactive displays, crafts, and other activities.

Meridian International Center

Meridian combines world public opinion, a neutral convening forum for international leaders and cultures, a strategic location, and the energy of willing public and private actors to build understanding and collaborate on solutions to global challenges we face together.

For almost 50 years, Meridian International Center has been the nations premier nonprofit institution dedicated exclusively to public diplomacy and global engagement. Meridian endeavors to strengthen Americas ties to the world and create meaningful programs that build goodwill around the world.


Festival also offers avariety of global dance and music performances from local, and international artists

Families enjoyed activities such as painting Kente cloth (Ghana), creating origami (Japan), and playing with traditional toys (Mexico).

Participated embassies for 2009 are Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Mongolia, South Africa, Switzerland, Syria, and Turkey

Meridians International Childrens Festival is made possible by the generous support of Cultural Tourism DC; participating embassies;

the Heisley Family Foundation; the Humanities Council of Washington, DC; and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

These booths introduce children and their families to world geography - engaging children of all ages to learn about the world and the importance of global citizenship.

Person-to-person interaction makes this event truly unique as it facilitates the connection between international diplomats and DC residents.

Furthermore, embassy representatives and international members of the community are present to answer questions and tell their stories as they explain the wonders of their cultures.

Festival participants not only learn from the amazing displays and activities, but also by talking and relating with people from around the world.

Festival offers a variety of global dance and music performances from local and international artists.

These performers captivate the audience with examples of Capoeira from Brazil, step dancing from Ireland, and salsa and tango dancing from Latin America.

Bring the child in your life to the International Childrens Festival and travel around the world without leaving DC!

African Geography Dance.

Belly Dance - The Middle East.

A walk through Argentina.

Capoeira - Brazil.
It is an Afro-Brazilian martial art and self-defense discipline that brings together fighting techniques, acrobatics, dance, percussion and song.

Tango, Salsa, and Merengue - Central and South America.

Traditional Mongolian Dance.

African Drumming - West Africa.

>City(s) = Washington DC; State(s) = DC; Country = USA.
>Title = International Childrens Festival, Washington DC, US - Video.
>Keywords = International Childrens Festival, Meridian Center, educational fun fair, embassies, cultural heritage, global dance music, performances, Kente cloth, Ghana, creating origami, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, South, Africa, Switzerland, ourtripvideos, our, trip, videos, crlapindfrn, Tourism DC, Capoeira, salsa, tango, African Drumming, 2009, video (73)
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