Local diversity celebrated at Tucson Meet Yourself Festival

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TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) – The 48th annual Tucson Meet Yourself Festival started today, with 60 nationalities all coming together in a few blocks in western Tucson.

“What is really happening is a story of cultural diversity in the education of people learning from one another, celebrating the city’s civic culture and democracy,” said Maribel Alvarez, director of Tucson Meet Yourself.

The festival began in 1974 and has continued every year since then. Their goal: to recognize and share the beauty of humanity.

“We all come together in one big family from all different cultures so that we can share our medicine, our teachings, and most importantly, our love,” said Wind Raven of the Pasqua Yaqui tribe.

The celebrations were mostly virtual last year due to COVID. This year the event was scaled down by around 50% but still had 100% of the cultural experience.

“Here it’s a public place where you can make friends, have a meal you never knew you liked, or try some type of music,” Alvarez said. “I learned to appreciate the music from the Balkans.”

It is a food lover’s paradise; 35 suppliers representing countries from all over the world. Tucsonans at the Turkish Cultural Center come to serve their food every year.

“If you move to the United States, the second generations will lose almost all cultures and the language,” said Mustafa Kilcak of the Ding Turkish Cultural Center. “

Turkish coffee, authentic arepas and Hawaiian ice cream, all just a few feet apart.

“That’s what I think is what makes America great: diversity,” said Kilcak.

50 folk artists also came from far and wide to share a part of themselves with Tucson. The festival takes place near the Pima County Public Library and will run throughout the weekend. Everyone can drop by from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Or from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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