Orange County event welcomes Russian guests
By Davidson Taylor
The 24th Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (ZORA! Festival 2013), which runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 3, in Eatonville, will once again attract interest and visitors from around the globe.
The multi-day, multi-disciplinary event celebrates the life and work of 20th century writer, folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, her hometown, Eatonville, the nation’s oldest incorporated African American municipality, and the cultural contributions people of African ancestry have made to the United States and the world.
The theme for the internationally recognized nine-day event is “Zora’s Eatonville: Culture as Conservator of the Community’s Heritage.” Activities include live concerts, educational seminars, heritage tours, the HATitude Brunch and an Outdoor Festival of the Arts.
A scheduled discussion titled “An International Perspective on Zora’s Eatonville: What Captivates Our Interests,” by visiting students Anton Panov and Anna Smirnova and their professor, Dr. Irina Morozova, from Russian State University for Humanities, in Moscow, demonstrates the global interest in Zora Neale Hurston and ZORA! Festival. The session, moderated by Ben Brotemarkle, PH.D, executive director, Florida Historical Society, and host of WMFE 90.7 FM’s “Florida Frontiers,” will be held 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30. UCF Library – Bldg. 2, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando.
Attracting tens of thousands of locals and tourists to Orange County, ZORA! Festival, presents an impressive roster of arts, humanities and cultural programming including the transmedia art project “Question Bridge: Black Males,” at the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts, the screening of the independent film, “We Still Live Here – As Nutayunean,” written and produced by Native American Anne Makepeace, public talks, panel discussions, workshops and concerts.
It culminates with a three-day weekend Outdoor Festival of the Arts, featuring children’s activities, including the ZORA! Literacy Initiative; a Health Village with free health screenings; an African Diaspora Pavilion; Guest Artist-in-Residence Charles Bibbs; “Fabulous Foods Demonstrations” by Celebrity Chef Marvin Woods; Center Stage featuring local, regional and international acts; an International Marketplace; food trucks and much more.
Admission to the Outdoor Festival of the Arts, Feb. 1-3, is free for ages 17 and younger. Adults will be able to enter the Outdoor Festival of the Arts with a cash donation.
For additional information on ZORA! Festival 2013 events visit www.zorafestival.org or call 407-647-3307.
