(Photo by: Jasmine Mills)

Are you someone who loves to explore different cultures? Flowers and Folklore is an event hosted by the Global Event & Activities sub-committee, which is a group made up of several departments on campus. This is a multi-day walkthrough event, held from April 20 through May 1. 

“Flowers and Folklore specifically is a multi-day, walkthrough event where students can visit a display within the Billington Library that showcases how different flowers have been influential in mythology and cultural lore throughout history,” Student Ambassador for the Global Engagement Office Queen Wilkes said. “For example, the importance of the Dahlia flower being placed on altars during the Day of the Dead in Mexico.” 

The Global Event & Activities sub-committee consists of representatives from Billington Library, the CoLab, Nerman Museum, Student Life, Global Engagement, and International and Immigrant Student Services. Its Chair, Emiko Asakawa, is in charge of preparing part of the event. 

“For this upcoming event, I am preparing the content for a display featuring flowers and their meanings or significance around the world in different cultures and myths,” Asakawa said. 

Wilkes, as a student ambassador, is in charge of set-up and take-down, as well as making sure all the pieces are where they need to be. 

“I support scheduling, ordering catering, confirming our guests–I created a lot for the fliers/promo slides for the event,” Wilkes said. “Basically, it is a small group of us that get together and plan these events, and we all take on different tasks as needed.” 

Andrea Thimesch, a librarian at JCCC, is one of the creators and partners of the Global Events group that came up with the idea. 

“I’m the host of the event at the library as part of Library Week, and the emcee and one of the presenters and facilitators,” Thimesch said. 

This is the first year the Flowers and Folklore event has been held, but there have been many other cultural events on campus.  

There is another special event on April 21 featuring Jessica Tipton, who will discuss the secret signals of flowers in the Victorian Era. Professor Katherine Bailes will talk about flowers in folklore and mythology. Thimesch will talk about flowers and stories from other cultures, especially throughout Asia. This event will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments, as well as seedlings for visitors to take home, will be offered. 

“This isn’t just a lecture; after the main event at 2 p.m., there is a paper-folding workshop immediately following at 3 p.m. that will allow attendees to learn how to make paper flowers from recycled books,” Thimesch said. 

Wilkes hopes students attending the event will learn something new and exciting about a different culture, or even make a deeper connection with their own culture.

“Most of us have a favorite flower or maybe even a favorite myth that we didn’t know had as much significance for other people,” Wilkes said. “Through events like this, we hope to pique students’ interest in global exploration and bridge the gap to help everyone see that we have a lot more in common than what meets the eye.” 

Thimesch explains that at events like these, there is always something to learn, and they always try to provide a space where everyone is welcome.

“I think participants should walk away learning something about flowers and their meaning, and it should engage those who know nothing about the topic and those who are more well-versed in the subject,” Thimesch said. 

Asakawa hopes people will come to appreciate the richness and value each person and each culture holds. 

“As they ponder the beauty and variety of flowers, I hope they can appreciate the flowers around them that are blooming now, and consider the significance that flowers have in their life today as well as reflect on why and which flower is significant to their family, friends, and people around the world,” Asakawa said. 

This event is supposed to be light, feel good, and overall, Thimesch wants this event to help those who attend have a moment of escape from the stress of the end of the semester. 

“I really hope people find some joy in the program. It’s meant to be fun and relaxing; we will have refreshments and giveaways,” Thimesch said. “These events at the library are always free and open to everyone, so if you want to bring a friend, your parent, or grandparent or someone else to enjoy this event, they are welcome to join us in LIB 204, the event space in the library where this is taking place.”