Events
Thank you to everyone that helped make the 2026 Festival so special! We'll see you all next year!
The Global Languages and Cultures Festival highlights the positive impact of languages, intercultural understanding, and cultural humility on our lives, education, and careers.
What:
As in year's past, this year's festival lineup consists of a variety academic program and student club tables, international game tables, calligraphy tables, cultural performances, puppet shows, escape boxes, a scavenger hunt, free language placements, food trucks, study abroad info, and more.
When:
March 26, 2026
Held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Festival will begin at 9AM and have various activities until 2PM. Guests are encouraged to arrive no earlier than 9AM, as the first performance does not begin until 9:30AM.
Where:
GVSU - Valley Campus
This year's festival will be held at GVSU's Valley Campus in Allendale, MI. The majority of the Festival will be held in Kirkhof Center, specifically, but there will be opportunities to see more of campus, as well as tour our Language Resources Center throughout the event!
Performances & Tables
Activities, Games, & Demonstrations
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Grand River Room Student Organization Tables |
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La Tertulia (Spanish Club) |
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Italian Language Club |
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Japanese Club |
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Chinese Language Club |
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Latino Students Association |
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South Asian Students Association |
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Filipinx American Student Association |
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Grand River Room Language Program Tables |
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Padnos International Study Abroad Center |
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Italian Program |
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Classics Program |
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Japanese Program |
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Chinese Program |
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Spanish Program |
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French Program |
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Arabic Program |
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Area & Global Studies |
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Modern Languages & Literatures |
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Language Resource Center |
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Kirkhof 2270 |
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Latino Foods Demonstration |
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Chinese Calligraphy |
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Cheese Tasting |
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Eiffel Tower Activity |
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Kirkhof 2201 |
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Puppet Shows |
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Stories in German |
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Pere Marquette (2204) |
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Virtual Reality |
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Green Screen Photo Shoot |
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Language Escape Boxes |
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Japanese Koto Instrument Experience |
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Grand River Room Performances |
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Japanese Koto Instrument Performances |
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Italian Student Songs |
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German Folk Singing |
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Irish Music Performances |
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Grand River Room Interactive Tables |
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Classics Selfie Booth |
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Chinese Selfie Booth |
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French Selfie Booth |
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Button Making |
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Día de Los Muertos Skull Coloring |
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Origami |
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Chinese Calligraphy |
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Go & Shogi (Traditional Japanese Games) |
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Mahjong |
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Various Foreign Language Board / Card Games |
Panels, Discussions, & Presentations
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Kirkhof 2266 |
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Study Abroad Opportunities at GVSU |
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International Art at the GVSU Art Museum |
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Kirkhof 2263 |
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Languages & Culture in Computer Science & Engineering |
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Languages & Culture in Healthcare |
Food Trucks
Baerrito
Village Baker
616 Kabob Shop
2025 Festival Photos
Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the event!
What:
We're looking for students willing to participate with music, poetry, theater, puppets, dance, short films, painting or drawing, composed and/or presented in different languages!
Submissions have closed!
When:
October 29, 2025
6:00PM - Appetizers
6:30PM - Performances
Where:
Cook-Dewitt Auditorium
About:
Medley was originally conceived as a collection of French performances and presentations until Professors Wilson-Tiesma and Collignon took over Medley’s organization four years ago. In their efforts to expand the number of languages celebrated, they began inviting performers from different cultural backgrounds to showcase their unique artforms throughout campus. This past year's event saw seven languages represented by 31 participating students and professors: French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Latin, Arabic and Hindi. Performers spotlighted the art of language through singing and piano, recitation, artwork and the interpretation of poetry and prose. Come check this free event out and enjoy some provided food while you're there!
