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For more information about the Festival of Nations, see http://www.festivalofnations.com/. Advance tickets fro the festival are available at International Institute of Minnesota, 1694 Como Ave., St. Paul or by calling (651) 647-0191. View the program for the Festival of Nations here.

“Travel the world without a passport at the 2008 Festival of Nations,” proclaims the Festival of Nations Website. At one of the nation’s largest and longest-running multi-cultural events, visitors can sample food, purchase hand-crafted and exotic merchandise, and observe dance, music, and rituals of 90 other nations and cultures. Events and activities include a Japanese children’s traditional dance, Kontraband Croatian Tamburica Music, a daily unfurling of the U.S. flag by representatives of all 90 nations, and a plethora of weaving, carving, painting, spinning, decorating, as well as dancing, chess, Bocce ball, Kimono displays, and origami demonstrations. Free mini-lessons of the languages of the world will be offered as well.

This year’s festival runs May 1-4 at the St. Paul Rivercenter, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. Following the example of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Steve Heckler, director of the festival strives to bring in new elements each year, allowing the exhibitors to suggest the theme and then encouraging them to work off that theme.