The month of May will be covered in green as the Memphis in May International Festival honors Ireland this year.
Picking the country for the festival is a complex process, according to James Holt, president and C.E.O. of the Memphis in May International Festival.
"We have a committee of board of directors and we rotate the globe on a continental basis," Holt said. "From there we look at countries within the continent and its connections with the Memphis market, narrow it down to six and then contact the embassies for interest."
The process begins three to four years in advance of the actual year of the festival, Holt said.
And while many college students only attend the festival for music and barbecue, many students can find entertainment in the cultural events scheduled during the month.
The need for students to learn about other cultures is more important now than ever before.
"The most compelling reason is that today we are so much more in a global society and we have to be able to communicate and do business," said Diane Hampton, executive vice president of the event. "Events like this give students opportunities to learn about the culture in an interactive setting and know how their culture affects you."
Even though a lot of the events do not start until the beginning of May, some events begin as early as next week.
Leaving Ireland for the first time and making its American debut, "40 Shades of Green" is an exhibit that interprets traditional Irish craft in a modern way.
The exhibit includes 160 pieces and is being installed this week," said Deni Carr, programming director for the festival.
It is scheduled to open at the Dixon Gallery and Garden on April 3.Another exhibit appearing for the first time in the United States is a photo exhibit that begins May 1 entitled "Erich Hartmann: Dublin 1964" at the Jack Robinson Gallery located downtown.
"Hartmann was a Magnum photographer and is world-renowned as a great documentary photographer," Carr said. "He and his wife traveled to Dublin in 1964 and traced the day that author James Joyce coined as Bloomsday in his book "Ulysses."
"We have high-end exhibits coming in that are unique to the Irish culture," Carr said.
Desti-nations is an event that should also be appealing to college students.
"This event falls around the end of the school year for many college students and is fun for those who are looking for something to do," Carr said.
Memphis celebrates Ireland more with these all day events on May 7 and 8 in Audubon Park by bringing in Irish artists, a dance troupe, storytellers and games.
Many U of M students who have participated as volunteers over the years find some of the cultural events the best part of the festival.
"It is nice to see how Memphis people take their interpretation of a country 's culture and put their own spin on it," said Carol Peterson, U of M alumna and event volunteer.
