This month, thousands of guests had the opportunity to travel to over 60 different countries without leaving the District as part of the annual Around The World Embassy Tour and the EU Open House.
On May 2, dozens of embassies across D.C. welcomed visitors inside to give them a unique look and feel into their distinctive country for the Around the World Embassy Tour. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests experienced different cultures, from Haiti’s love for soccer to Guatemala’s expressive and colorful paintings.
Foodies were in for a treat. Many embassies offered traditional food samples as part of the tour, including samples of traditional Cuban plates, like ropa vieja and moros y cristanos, a rice and bean dish, and Ukraine’s borscht, a sour bean soup.
Energy and joy flooded into the streets of D.C. Traditional music had guests dancing the day away. The Embassy of the Dominican Republic played different Merengue and Bachata songs and featured dance lessons. Meanwhile, the Embassy of Burundi presented a dynamic performance of their royal drummers on stage.
“Anyone, Americans, visit Burundi, and you will see the origins, the roots, of these royal drums,” Ambassador Jean Bosco Barege said to the audience in attendance.
On May 9, the celebration continued with the EU Open House. This event celebrated Europe Day, and 27 European embassies including Greece, Denmark and Romania opened their doors and filled their halls with traditional dances and food.
For those craving a refreshing drink, a trip to the Spanish embassy was worth the wait. They served some of their most popular bedidas, such as Spanish red and white wine and sangria.
The Around The Embassy Tour and the EU Open House Tour are part of Passport D.C., a month-long festival held annually in May to celebrate international culture in Washington, D.C. Events include workshops and open houses to show respect for the city’s diplomatic community and to allow residents and visitors to explore and learn about different countries without needing to step on an airplane.
