“Passports: A Cultural Discovery Day” from 3-8 p.m.
Suitcases won’t be necessary, and passports will be provided during the family event planned by the Brigham Young University Museum of Peoples and Cultures on Monday, June 23, from 3 to 8 p.m.
“Passports: A Cultural Discovery Day” is an activity designed for the entire family to explore various cultures from around the world without having to leave the neighborhood. Booths focused on various cultural regions will include a brief educational background about a specific culture and a hands-on activity.
The free event will be held at the museum which is located at 700 North 100 East in Provo.
“This is a great summer event for families, especially those with younger children,” said Erika Riggs, promotions manager for the museum. “They can learn about other people, see and feel ancient artifacts, get fun stamps in their passports and best of all, they get to do it together as a family.”
Each family member will be given a passport booklet that can be stamped at each booth after completing the activity. The event will be run by BYU students who will act as educators and travel guides, leading the cultural presentations and stamping each child’s passport.
The MPC’s teaching kits, used at each booth, contain artifacts that children will be able see and handle. Highlighted cultures include those of the American Southwest, Africa, Mesoamerica, Asia and Polynesia.
The museum's newest exhibit, “Kachinas of the Southwest: Dances, Dolls, and Rain,” will also be featured. The Kachina exhibit explores the Pueblo Kachina tradition, which is based on a belief in spiritual beings that exist in everything. Although these spirits are represented in various ways, dancing and dolls are the most common forms.
The event is an open house, allowing families to come and go depending on their personal schedules. The event is free and refreshments will be provided.
Writer: Erika Riggs
