You don’t have to travel far this Saturday to experience cultures, food and celebrations from around the world.

Tucked away right near downtown Santa Ana on the verdant campus of United World College Costa Rica or Colegio del Mundo Unido Costa Rica, the annual UWC Festival will have something for everyone to enjoy.

From guitar and funk music, to food for sale, dances from all over the world, theater performances, poetry, and craft sales, games for children, face painting, educational forums, the event will culminate in an Indian Holi party, said event organizers.

The activity, which runs from noon until 6 p.m., will showcase the college’s focus on diversity, peace and international understanding with students representing more than 70 countries sharing their cultures.

The non-profit United World College for the past ten years has offered a pre-university experience to young people from all over the world .

“Holi is the festival of colors and one of the most important festivals in India. During this celebration, people paint themselves and throw colored powder called Gulal,” said UWC event organizers.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to share with students from all over the world gathered for an afternoon of music, dance, sales, food and more. It is time to celebrate diversity and culture during a Festival that is a call to unity, peace and a show of the power each has to generate change,” says Leonor Gutiérrez, UWC advancement director.

Proceeds from the event go to the school’s scholarship fund: A donation of 3,000 colones is requested from those under 18, and 5,000 for adults. This donation gets you entered into a raffle as well.

A forum space will be held from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., a with Andrés Valenciano, director of the Central American Health Initiative (CAHI) in which students from different countries will share their experiences on international topics such as armed conflict, gender equity, intercultural communication, and climate change.

United World College Costa Rica is located 400 meters north of the southeast corner of Santa Ana Catholic Church. It is part of a worldwide movement composed of 16 other colleges and began 50 years ago. It offers an International Baccalaureate program to students coming from more than 70 countries.

Their teachers hail from Costa Rica, Australia, Germany, Kosovo, Lithuania, Russia, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.