Festival of Nations-Saint Paul, MN

08/12/2025

🎉🌍 Introducing the International Festival of Minnesota (IFest-MN)! 🌍🎉

Please help us get the word out about the new International Festival of Minnesota (IFest-MN). IFest-MN is being led and organized by leaders and past participants of the International Institute of Minnesota’s Festival of Nations.

IFest-MN —will bring together over 60 nations and ethnic communities to share their cultures in a hands-on, heart-opening event. With 25,000+ attendees, including 7,000 youth, this new festival offers a powerful opportunity to connect across generations and deepen our understanding of each other’s heritage.

IFest-MN mission is: to inspire discovery, foster cultural understanding, and celebrate the rich diversity that makes Minnesota shine.

Come explore, connect, and celebrate the world right here in Minnesota!

📅 April 10-11, 2026
📍 Saint Paul RiverCentre
🔗 www.ifestmn.org

08/24/2023

The International Institute of Minnesota and the Festival of Nations, the Midwest’s oldest and longest running multicultural festival, announce with sadness the conclusion of this beloved event.

While the Institute remains steadfast in its commitment to celebrating Minnesota's diverse cultures, it must prioritize its urgent day-to-day work of serving New Americans with their successful transition to a new community.

We encourage the community to continue embracing and celebrating Minnesota's rich tapestry of cultures, communities and connections.

Learn more about the cancelation of the Festival of Nations. https://festivalofnations.com/cancelation-announcement/

08/12/2022

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.

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 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. Learn more at FestivalofNations.com.

10/12/2021

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the unpredictable nature of new COVID-19 variants, we have made the difficult decision to not hold the Festival of Nations in 2022. Please read more on our website: festivalofnations.com/2022-update/

03/18/2021

Although the Festival of Nations will not be held in 2021, we hope to bring this historic event back in 2022. As a nonprofit organization and with an event this large and impactful, we must budget and plan far in advance, which the uncertainties around public health have made challenging. Thank you for understanding; we truly appreciate your passion and commitment to the Festival of Nations and hope to see you again in the coming years!

For 88 years, the Festival of Nations has inspired people throughout the region to discover more about our world and embrace the rich cultural diversity brought to us by immigrants from around the globe.

09/09/2020

PIEROGIES (or Varenyky or Pyrohy)!

What more can you ask for: family made, locally made, traditionally made, and a fundraiser for the Ukrainian American Community Center in NorthEast Minneapolis.

The Ukrainian Center is selling Frozen Pierogies with a side of sauteed onions & sour cream on Friday, Sept 11th to help cover losses due to the continuing COVID-19 virus shutdown.

$10 per dozen (potato pierogi) Stock-up Special: Buy 5dz get 1dz FREE!

Easy to cook at your convenience at home!

Call 612-379-1956 and leave an order (name, quantity, and pick up time slot 11am-12noon or 4:30pm-6:30pm) or email your order to [email protected]

Place your order early before sold out - no more until the Holidays!

Ukrainian Center
301 Main St NE, Mpls

09/09/2020

German Specialty Imports is hosting an Oktoberfest Open House sale this weekend, 11 - 13 September from 10a - 5p.

* Black Dirndl, blouse and apron, 3 pc set - $269
* Justin Kniebund Lederhosen (goat leather) - $299.95
* Lederhosen onesie - $30.95
* Kathy German Brezel Mix Pretzel Mix - $7.95

And so much more!
https://germanspecialtyimport.com/

German Speciality Imports
19580 Bernard Ave
Prior Lake, MN 55372

08/30/2020

CURBSIDE CUISINE

Join Sokol Minnesota for a modified Sokol Minnesota Czech and Slovak Fall Festival.

A tasty menu has been developed and cooks and bakers are ready to safely prepare your favorite foods in their C.S.P.S. Hall (Saint Paul, Minnesota)commercial kitchen.

Curbside Cuisine Menu
* Segedínský guláš (pork sauerkraut gulas) $12 qt
* Kuřecí paprikáš (creamy paprika sauce with chicken) $12 qt
* Buřtguláš (kettle sausage and potato gulas) $8 qt
* Halušky (cabbage bacon with mini dumplings) $10 qt
* Bublanina (fruit coffee cake either blueberries or strawberries) $10
* Houskový knedlík (raised bread dumpling) $5 loaf
* Koláč (poppy, apricot, prune, cream cheese, or raspberry) $1 each

Please be sure to study the menu in the above ad. Then, send an email to [email protected] to place your order by September 7.

Pickup and payment are curbside on Saturday, September 26 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Future “Curbside Cuisine” events are planned for the October Pork Dinner and November Sweet Shoppe and Bake Sale.

08/28/2020

What does WELCOME X HOME mean to you? Submit your work to be considered for inclusion in the International Institute of Minnesota's online poster show, running Sept. 17-20. Show your solidarity with immigrants and refugees who have made Minnesota their home. Details: iimn.org/PosterShow 🎨

Thank you to All Are Welcome Here for helping us design and promote this initiative! Thank you as well to jury members Ifrah Mansour, DelStarr Arts, Uri Camarena Michel, and Jane Graupman 🙏

08/25/2020

Shoua Vang, a former International Institute of Minnesota staff member, was one of the very first Hmong to become a naturalized citizen in Minnesota. He rescued American pilots in Vietnam and helped resettle more than 10,000 Hmong. If you believe Minnesotans like Vang should have access to citizenship, give to our New Americans Campaign before USCIS naturalization fees jump to $1200 in October: iimn.org/NewAmericans 🗽

Thank you for showing your solidarity!

iimn.org/NewAmericans

08/17/2020

One day we will travel again and maybe you will join us in exploring the new The Grand Egyptian Museum المتحف المصري الكبير.

The Largest museum on earth, Unique civilization, thousands of artifacts, and only 1.25 miles from The Great Pyramid of Giza, Cairo, Egypt.

المتحف المصرى الكبير- أكبر متحف على وجه الأرض
حضارة عظيمة فريدة- آلاف القطع الأثرية التى لن تجدها فى مكان آخر- المتحف على بعد 2 كم من أهرامات الجيزة العظمى- هدية مصر للعالم

Opening 2021!