Everything is everywhere all at once: to your right, freshly kneaded arepas hiss as they hit abuela’s cast iron pan, and to your left, a PoPo yells out in Cantonese as the bitter melon begins to boil over onto the grass. Taking a few passes past the food stalls, you find a seat and watch as a Russian Barynya troop rushes to the stage. Cultures and traditions from across the world mix and meld within a singular microcosm of the festival atmosphere.
This collision course of culture is the 6th annual Orlando Fusion Fest, which took place from December 1 to December 2 at the Seneifs Art Plaza, located on the doorstep of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The event is organized by a charity of the same name, Fusion Fest Inc., which is an arm of the City of Orlando’s office of Arts and Cultural affairs with the stated mission:
“To celebrate the people and the many different cultures that make Central Florida awesome by showcasing talents, sharing stories, driving innovation, and building community based on respect and understanding.”
Fusion Fest seeks to break down the misunderstandings between people that lead to cultural conflicts by facilitating dialogue.
“If you don’t stop and have a conversation or an interaction with another person who’s very different than you, the preconceived ideas that are out there will never change, will never move forward. You just need to interact and expose yourself and open your mind. They do that here,” said Nicole, a fifth-year resident of Downtown Orlando.
The dozens of heritage-based organizations represented at Fusion Fest share the same belief that the pathway to intercultural piece is through fostering safe spaces for conversation, backed by the numerous organization representatives standing eagerly at their stalls and sharing their ways of life to curious passersby.
Amit Pal Singh Saini, former chairman of the Sikh Society of Central Florida said,
“Oftentimes when you see people from completely different faith or attire, the first reaction is to be scared. Very few of us will go and ask, ‘Why are you wearing this?’ So, by doing this, we are showing that we are open, we are available, so come and ask us questions. The world is a beautiful place; passing our traditions helps us understand better, and it is what makes the world a beautiful place.”
The Fusion Fest represents a unique opportunity for Orlandans to engage with perspectives and practices that may be quite different from what they are used to in a safe space where people are free to ask questions and appreciate their neighbors. It is also an opportunity for local artists to share their works, and as a result, their beliefs and worldviews add to the field of flowers that comprise central Florida culture.
Regis Freeman, a local poet from Saint Kitts and Nevis, is one such artist who shared his passions and perspectives on culture in central Florida. “Civil rights issues are important, especially in the state of Florida where we have so many laws restricting how we teach our youth. So being able to be a voice for the community, being able to come out here and present how I feel about these issues and how many of their youth feel, is very important,” said Freeman.
To have a just and equal society, it is necessary to give everyone an equal voice. Some central Floridians like Regis Freeman feel as though that opportunity to speak freely is not extended to all. The Fusion Festival acts as an equalizer where people are invited to share their perspectives with the community regardless of background.
“It’s important to fight back and remember at our roots, we are our own people, not shackled, not imprisoned by anybody. We must have each other and be able to come out. The first step is to look at your roots, see who you are, what you really stand for, and then it’s just to communicate it,” said Freeman.
The Fusion Fest is just one way to showcase local diversity in central Florida. The conversation around representation and cultural equality extends beyond any one event. If central Floridians and visitors want to get involved with arts and cultural efforts, there are many organizations and resources at your disposal. Those interested can get involved with the City of Orlando’s office of Art’s and Cultural Affairs or check into the other weekly and monthly events hosted by the Fusion Fest organization.
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