World Religions Festival


An international celebration of wisdom, faith, and culture

Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7-10 p.m., with a free catered reception
Forum Hall, K-State Student Union

Hosted and Organized by

Michael Wesch, Professor of Anthropology
mwesch@k-state.edu

Featuring:
  • Enlightening talks and performances celebrating major faiths of the world
  • "TED"-style talks from esteemed local religious leaders, including Father Gale Hammerschmidt of St. Isadore's Catholic Center, Pastor Christian Watkins of Ecumenical Campus Ministries, Miriam Edelman and David Marcus from the Manhattan Jewish Congregation, Dr. Fatma Radhi from the Manhattan Islamic Center and Mohammad-Elliya Davoudi of the Muslim Student Association, Terrell Campbell presenting on the Black Church, and Bruce Grover of the Baha'i
  • Special guests from Daesoon Jinrihoe in Korea, one of the largest Korean new religions rooted in the traditions of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism
  • Special guests from the Cao Dai of Vietnam, a religion that places Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, Lao Tzu and others together with God on their altars
  • Special guests from the Shengmu Wuri Mazu Temple of Taiwan, representing the sea goddess Mazu worshipped by 200 million people around the world
  • Encounter the sacred texts of the Bhagavad Gita as it was meant to be heard, sung and interpreted by the wise Dr. Ramasamy Perumal.
  • A guided meditation by Adulsak (Otto) Chanyakorn, renowned artist from our own College of Architecture
  • A mesmerizing musical journey into Hinduism with the band Janyam, featuring K-State Professors Rekha and Bala Natarajan and their family
  • New performances by Resonate A Capella, including "What Was I Made For" by Billie Eilish and "You Say" by Lauren Daigle

Stay for the free reception with free food after the show!

 

Download the full program here (pdf)

 

Special Thanks to our Financial Sponsors

  • Union Program Council
  • Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies
  • K-State Office of International Programs
  • Daesoon Jinrihoe
  • Weixin Shingjiao
  • Cao Đài

 

Special Thanks to our Organizational Sponsors