NATCHITOCHES – The U.S. Declaration of Independence was read aloud in nine languages Nov. 1 as Northwestern State University students, faculty and guests from many countries celebrated the document’s 250th anniversary.
The event, “Works of Our Common Kindred: An International Freedoms Celebration,” was hosted by the NSU Eta Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, with NSU Watson Library and the School of Creative & Performing Arts.
The title comes from the Declaration itself, which speaks of “the ties of our common kindred.” Organizers used the phrase to show that the ideals of 1776, equality, liberty and government by the people, are shared by people around the world.
The NSU Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Galindo Rodriguez, opened the program with “America the Beautiful.” Chapter President Christine R. Ferrell welcomed the audience and Donna Baker introduced the program.
Performers then shared music and poetry of freedom from five nations. Sofiko Tchetchelashvili and Chialing Hsieh represented Georgia. Claudette Elline Cruz, Lhareen Lazo and Hsieh performed a Filipino patriotic song. Irene Gomez and Steven Mendoza played and sang works from Ecuador. Ferrell read Belgium’s “La Brabançonne,” and violinist Andrej Kurti closed with Serbian folk tunes.
The finale brought 10 readers to the stage to read the Declaration in English, Nepali, French, Dutch, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Hindi and Georgian. Readers were Debbie Huntington, Nabin Sapkota, Damien Tristant, Ferrell, Edgar Martinez, Cruz, Hsieh, Neeru Deep, Tchetchelashvili and Baker. The audience then read the document’s final pledge together.
The evening concluded with a reception of finger foods from around the world, giving guests a final taste of the many cultures that came together to celebrate.
The celebration also had a purpose beyond the stage: helping NSU students. Throughout the evening, guests were invited to give to the Phi Beta Delta Eta Mu Chapter scholarship fund. Every donation goes directly to scholarships for Northwestern State University students.
“Give a gift that opens doors,” the chapter urged guests. For many students, a scholarship can make the difference in staying in school, studying abroad or connecting with the wider world.
The chapter stresses that any amount makes a difference. Community members who could not attend can still support NSU students by giving online at https://nsulafoundation.com/funds/phi-beta-delta/donate/.