Twelve countries were represented in the Multicultural Expo’s Ceremony of Flags on Saturday.
Charlotte Caldwell | The Lima News
LIMA — A dozen cultures came together Saturday at the Multicultural Expo at the Greater Lima Region Park and Amphitheater with a uniting goal: to dispel misconceptions by bringing parts of the cultures to the community.
To kick off the day, Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith read a proclamation declaring Sept. 14, 2024, as Multicultural Appreciation and Celebration Day in Lima.
“Creativity draws on the roots of our cultural tradition but flourishes when we make contacts with other cultures. So for this reason, we know that heritage in all of its forms must be preserved, enhanced and handed on to future generations as a record of human experience and aspirations so as to foster creativity in all its diversity,” Smith said. “We promise to ensure that Lima is a welcoming place where all people, families and institutions thrive, and the contributions of all are celebrated and valued.”
Smith presented the proclamation to two sponsors: Mercy Health, represented by Beth King, and the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce, represented by President/CEO Jed Metzger. King said Mercy Health cares for people from over 40 countries per year.
Cindi Offenbaker, of Lima, attended the event in part because her family represents multiple cultures.
“I have a daughter who was adopted from Korea. My new grandson is half Korean and half Mexican. I have a great friend over there, Maha, from Egypt. I just love to find out all the different cultures,” Offenbaker said.
She said diversity is important because “It’s the fabric of the U.S. Most of us came from immigrants, and I think it benefits all of us to learn more about people and different countries. I love to travel. There’s nothing more enjoyable than finding commonalities with somebody that you’ve never met before.”
Some of the places she’s visited include Ireland, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Budapest. Her bucket list includes the Netherlands, Croatia and Portugal.
Offenbaker said she was glad to see the Haitian community included in the expo.
“I’ve heard a lot about the Haitians. I think that, sadly, if you don’t know about other cultures, it’s easy to think poorly of them,” Offenbaker said.
Joanne Acosta and Dawn Moyler also attended the event. They have been to the expo previously and enjoyed the entertainment. Moyler said the event is a “learning experience” and they both liked trying the food offered at different booths, particularly the Filipino food they just sampled.
Church on the Rock, a Pentecostal church located at 301 W. North St., was one of the booths present representing Mexico. They were getting the word out about their new English class for Spanish speakers starting Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. and occurring every other Tuesday.
“You can’t integrate yourself into the community if you don’t speak the language and it can be isolating,” said Lizette Snyder, Pastor Tom Snyder’s wife.
Lima’s Sister Cities Association was educating visitors on Japanese culture, and Vice President Sandra Liechty said this year marks 25 years that Lima has been a sister city with Harima-cho, Japan.
“All of this is to share culture with one another and make new friends because we believe that’s the way we’ve created peace in the world. One person at a time, one friendship at a time. And to expel a lot of misinformation that’s out there and old wives’ tales and superstitions and fears, get rid of those by meeting people as they really are, making new friends,” Liechty said about the expo.
Representing Egypt, Maha Zehery addressed the way immigrants are treated and her personal experiences with misconceptions.
“It is really important for people to have an open mind and understand that we are all smart people. Lots of stereotyping,” Zehery said.
During an interview on stage with Lima Councilwoman Carla Thompson, she shared how one woman she met thought Egyptians didn’t have cars and rode on camels. The woman was surprised she knew how to use a fork and knife and had manners, and she thought she would have a tent in her bedroom instead of a bed.
For the Trinidad portion of stage entertainment, Lima chef Trevor Remy shared how Trinidad culture and his family came to Lima. He said Lima needed welders and pipefitters to work in the refinery.
“I came to the United States by way of Brooklyn, New York. I spent some time in Brooklyn, and when my father told me I was coming to Lima, Ohio, it seemed like it was the saddest thing in my life, leaving this big city,” Remy said. “Everyone in New York asked me ‘Is there corn on both sides of the road?’ little did they know, for me, it was my dream.”
Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.
