2023 Festival Update
August 12, 2022 — The International Institute of Minnesota announced that the Festival of Nations will not take place in 2023 to allow the Institute to launch a process that reimagines the future of the Festival of Nations.
“Since 1932 it has been an honor for the Institute to host the Festival of Nations and work with so many volunteers and community members. So much has changed during that time, especially in the last few years,” said Jane Graupman, Executive Director of the International Institute. “Now is the appropriate time for the Festival of Nations to explore the new creative opportunities that exist within our community that will enhance this joyful annual event.”
With respect and admiration for all that the Festival of Nations has accomplished over the past 90 years, the Institute will begin the process of reimagining how the Festival continues to celebrate all of the cultures in our state. The Institute and Festival leaders will start by exploring new ways to grow this event through new partnerships, community input and the experience of committed Festival volunteers.
Since the last Festival of Nations in 2019, the urgency and needs of Minnesota’s newly arrived refugee and immigrant communities has only grown. As a leading sponsor of refugee resettlement in Minnesota, the Institute is currently responding to the recent arrival of Ukrainians seeking refuge in Minnesota. This response follows the resettlement of people from Afghanistan earlier this year —representing more than four times the number of refugees served last year. With the urgency of the global refugee crisis, the need for the Institute’s leadership continues to grow. These growing and urgent priorities magnify the need to take time to reimagine the Festival of Nations.
Share your ideas for reimagining the Festival.