On a cold, blustery day, the Winternational Embassy Showcase returned to Washington for its 11th annual celebration of culture, customs and economic trade among nations.
Thousands of visitors filled the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center for the Dec. 5 event. Officials from the General Services Administration, International Trade Center, Giant Food, League of Arab States and DC city government gave short speeches.
“Eleven years ago there were four partners…now, there are 68,” said Secretary Kimberly Bassett, representing DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Our goal is to have 100 next year.”
Winternational’s newest member and sponsor is the 22-member Arab League, 17 of whose member nations participated in some capacity at Winternational. The Arab League pavilion alone took up a third of the event’s total exhibit space.
“This is a great opportunity for Arab nations to exhibit our culture,” said the organization’s chief representative, Abdulkhalig Bin Rafaa. “The people of Washington will be able to learn more about what we bring to the world, as this is our first time here at a shared pavilion. Cultures that have been out of reach are suddenly all here together. We hope people see unity in diversity.”
Diplomats from Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bolivia also spoke.
The event featured traditional music and dancing, as well as elaborate art and jewelry. Photo opportunities were positioned in front of banners and exhibits, inviting attendees to don traditional garb from various countries and learn more about their cultures.
Hala Youssef, wife of Egyptian Ambassador Motaz Zahran, lingered at Egypt’s exhibit in the Arab League’s hall.
“Today is perfect. There is high traffic, and we couldn’t ask for more,” she said. “I’m very impressed with our display and everyone here.”
Egypt’s exhibit stood out with the facade of temple walls erected in the corner where it was positioned. Youssef took photos with dancers and exhibitors, flipped through books on Egyptian history and showed pieces of papyrus art to passersby, showcasing another remarkable aspect of Winternational: diplomats openly engaging with the public outside of political functions, eager to talk about the country they represent.
Just past Saudi Arabia’s recreation of a Bedouin camp was an exhibit of books, art and soaps put together by DC’s Museum of the Palestinian People.
“I was born in Jerusalem and I came to DC to share the story of who I am. There was no [such] museum here, so I decided to create one,” said the museum’s founder, Bshara Nassar. He added that given Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, “by sharing history and culture, we can bring people together…and have a greater understanding of each other. Seeing each other’s art and dress is a way to open hearts and minds.”
Ministers Charitha Yattogoda of Sri Lanka and Thet Win of Myanmar expressed delight at participating in Winternational.
“Sri Lanka has a history that is 5,000 years old,” said Yattogoda.“We just achieved the best island tourism award, and best place for women to travel solo. We want to share these experiences and achievements here.”
Asian nations like theirs use events like this as “a comprehensive, strategic partnership…it’s a good membership to go along with, this kind of public diplomacy,” said Win.
In the Giant-sponsored food hall, a number of countries shared samples and products for sale straight from their own grocery shelves. Artesanal goods for sale included wine from Azerbaijan, spiced jams from the Bahamas, handmade, oven-fired pots from Bolivia, cannabis-derived oils from Colombia, beaded jewelry from Haiti, coffee from both Jamaica and Turkey, and pollen keepers from Costa Rica. Several African nations offered dresses, shirts, sculptures and jewelry for purchase, as well as a contest for safaris next year.
People dressed in traditional costumes paraded around the hall, and some carried regional instruments. Asian nations offered tea, cookies and various rice dishes to try. The European Union offered literature and contests for trips to the region. China had an exhibit dedicated to the pandas brought to the Smithsonian National Zoo in October.
Allyson Browne McKithen, executive director of the DC World Trade Center and the event’s, said the goal “for this program is to work with diplomatic communications and showcase their strengths, trade economics and culture. It takes a huge effort, but we hope to tap into the Indo-Pacific region more next year.”
McKithen said Winternational would not be successful without the participation of Embassy Row.
“It was an honor…to work with diplomats; [all of whom] have incredible personal stories. It’s valuable for DC residents to connect with these missions and their extraordinary work,” she said. “An exchange of culture and economics like this can only happen here.”
Winternational fulfilled its goal: a day dedicated to uplifting various cultures, inspiring attendees and giving them a chance to travel without breaking out their passports.
For more information, please visit the websites of the World Trade Center or the Ronald Reagan Building.
