Global Festival 2004 was held on November 21, 2004, at the MSU Union, as usual on a Sunday. The Festival was a success owing to the leadership of the committee members, the active par-ticipation by the international students, and the assistance given by many CVIP volunteers, the Union and many others at the University. The attendance was estimated to be 4,000 to 5,000 people who seemed to stay for longer periods this year.

The World Gift Shop and a new addi-tional fundraiser, a listing of twenty-five area international restaurants raised over $7,000 for the international students' spouses scholarship fund.

Twenty international performances by individuals or groups included a troop of elderly Chinese dancers from Ann Arbor. About twenty-five student groups and about eight other groups with connections with the international students and MSU offered exhibits.

Students from the MSU Parks and Recreation Department set up a children's game area. The "Magic Noo-dle" company, whose product was invented at MSU, supplied colored noodles to make maps and national flags.

The MSU Union staff provided the festival with a new artistic poster, which was very well received. The Union Food Service staff provided an appetizing international menu for lunch on the lower level and a snack bar on the second floor.

Global Festival 2005 is scheduled for Sunday, November 13, 2005. New volunteers and suggestions for improve-ments are always welcome. Contact Alex McCrae (mccraeag@comcast.net or 332-8408).