World Beat Brings All Cultures Together (VIDEO)

The World Beat Festival in Salem happens today. From the Salem-News.com archives, is our report from 2006 on World Beat. It is a lot of fun for the family with cultural inspiration for all.

The World Beat Festival is a regular tradition for those in, around and from beyond the Salem area every summer. Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - It seemed like everybody was having fun. But some people have a more serious take on World Beat. Nations are at war, and this festival brings world education, peace and cultural understanding. One man from Senegal was moved by a translation, `And peace, because Salem in Arab means peace…"

As one man spreads the word of peace, others like Salem fencing instructor Mike Heggen talked about how history can change a method of killing, into a sport.

`Fencing goes back more than 300 years in European history. What evolved from the duel, is now a sport." He says they teach things like chivalry and compassion and sportsmanship, qualities the world can always use more of.

Parades celebrating the earth`s four corners were held throughout the two-day event. Nations like Vietnam in Southeast Asia was celebrated with a lavish display including a dragon and traditional instruments.

Of course there was plenty of traditional American fare at World Beat like a troupe of tap dancers, performers and singers of all ages.

Cultural festivals like World Beat turn black and white into color. Kids learn that Africa itself is a land of tremendous diversity. And World Beat seems to speak a common language for all cultures.

Excellent weather was part of the weekend package, the festival happening under sunny skies. Many people used all the sunscreen they had while others emptied their pockets buying four-dollar bottles of water from the vendors. A word for next year; ice cold drinking fountains can be found inside the Salem Riverfront Carousel building.

Food from all corners of the world was well as 125 different performances and displays were lined up at World Beat. Along with the world cuisine, a world gift selection too. Something for everyone from each of the earth`s every continents.

Plenty to look at, the World Beat Festival in Salem, Oregon was a people watcher`s paradise. The festival boasted unusual treats like dancers from Roseburg, Oregon who entertained with their dancing style, best called belly dancing fusion.

Estimates indicate that this was the biggest World Beat Festival in history. It is one of the Northwest`s premiere events and a sure sign that summer has started in Oregon`s capitol city.

Watch the Video Report by Tim King, with a special Belly Dancing segment BELOW: Photographed, written and produced by Tim King

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This is an annual event, it is held at Salem's Riverfront Park on Front Street. I believe they have a Website, http://www.worldbeatfestival.org/ and it is a wonderful event. Salem still has "The Bite" and the Salem Art Fair coming up this summer, great stuff. Salem-News.com will preview and promote these events as they get closer. Tim King

Is this an annual event? Where is it held at?

Sorry for the mistake.

Mike's last name is spelled Heggen.

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