News Summary
Lexington will host an International Fashion Show and Dance on May 17 to celebrate its rich cultural diversity. Organized by Preeti Gupta, this free event showcases traditional fashions and dances from multiple countries and will be accompanied by a cultural exhibit at the Lexington History Museum, highlighting items from residents of various backgrounds. Registration is required for attendees.
Lexington will celebrate its diverse cultures and communities in May as part of the city’s year-long commemoration of its 250-year history. Scheduled for May 17 from 4-6 p.m., the Lexington History Museum will host an International Fashion Show and Dance, showcasing fashions and dances from Japan, Mexico, India, Kenya, and Ukraine. The event is free and open to the public, with registration required.
The fashion show is being organized by Preeti Gupta, a member of the 250Lex Commission and an active member of the Lexington community for 33 years. Originally from India, Gupta moved to the United States with her husband and expressed a desire to share various cultures with the local community. As a recipient of support from Friendship International, a group that helped her integrate into the Lexington community, she views the fashion event as a way to give back to the welcoming city that she has been a part of for over three decades.
Accompanying the fashion show will be a fashion exhibit at the museum, showcasing items from local residents of diverse cultural backgrounds. The exhibit will include traditional clothing, dolls, literature, and other artifacts from countries such as China, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, and Ukraine. Gupta has contributed her wedding gown to the exhibit, which highlights the cultural richness represented by Lexington’s residents, including hand-embroidered garments that reflect aesthetic beauty.
The museum will keep the exhibit open throughout the entire month of May, allowing visitors to explore the cultural significance of the displayed items. This initiative underscores Lexington’s long history of immigration, which dates back to the 1800s. The city has seen an influx of settlers from various nationalities, including French, Scottish, and Irish, as well as individuals of African descent, who contributed to the community’s diversity.
Lexington is home to a significant number of refugees, particularly from East African nations, with an estimated 8,000 individuals speaking Swahili, the third most spoken language in the area. The presence of refugee resettlement programs has bolstered this linguistic demographic, highlighting the city’s evolving landscape of cultures.
The International Fashion Show aims to promote unity and celebrate cultural diversity, recognizing the importance of connecting and appreciating both differences and similarities within the community. Gupta noted that in the current global climate, fostering understanding and inclusiveness is vital. The event serves as a platform for showcasing the beauty of different cultures and encouraging interactions among attendees.
To participate in this cultural celebration, attendees must register in advance. Further details about the event and registration can be accessed on the 250Lex website. The International Fashion Show and Dance offers an opportunity for community members to engage with and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultural backgrounds that make up Lexington.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
- Kentucky.com: Politics and Government
- WKYT: International Women’s Day Festival
- Wikipedia: International Fashion Show
- Fox56 News: Women’s Day Celebration
- Google Search: Lexington Fashion Show
