Each year, Harrisites participate in the Festival of Nations (FON), a long-awaited annual performance showcasing dances from various cultures at Townsend Harris. On December 13, THHS held the kickoff rally after school, where leaders introduced their FON groups to the THHS community. As of now, a two-day show is scheduled for March 1 and 2 at 2 pm and 7 pm for both days.
In addition to the 13 FON groups from last year, a few more cultures were added to the lineup: African, Brazilian, Indonesian, Latinx, and West Indian.
Sophomore Hudson Bell, a first-time participant, shared his motivation for joining the traditional Korean FON this year. “I thought it would make my mom happy for me to show more interest in my culture,” he said. Hudson expressed anticipation for the after-party which he hopes will adda unique touch to his FON experience.
Sophomore Ebube Ajulu in both AAFON and Caribbean FON, said “Last year I joined FON because I really enjoy dancing. But I also joined because a lot of my friends did FON.” Ebube highlighted the laid-back practice environment that facilitated friendships across different grades..
In terms of advice for newcomers, Ebube emphasized the importance of having fun, letting loose, trying new dances, and attending practices.
Freshman Aidan Ng, joining the JPOP performance, expressed common concerns such as balancing time between school, sports, and FON. “Managing work, clubs, after school, etc. would be challenging for everyone,” he said.
As FON continues to evolve, the 2024 edition promises a more diverse celebration of cultures. As students begin to rehearse for the performance, the excitement of FON will be heard through the echoes of music and shouts from classrooms and hallways after school. This season aims to unite the THHS community and allows students to look forward to the outcome of their hard work in March.
“It seems like something interesting to do—new experiences, new opportunities to meet more people.” said Aidan.
