Juan Villa / The Collegian

History and background. Stories and legends. Though they are different depending on where one grows up, they all make up the same thing –– culture.

For mechanical engineering senior Carlos Del Pozo, picking up his guitar gives him the opportunity to share his Peruvian culture.

“Peru is a very beautiful country and its people are enough inspiration for me. By playing a song from Peru in my guitar I remember my culture, my roots and my past, which today help me to make good decisions,â€Â Del Pozo said.

Juan Villa / The Collegian

Pozo will be one of many student performers at the International Culture Night, an event showcasing the arts inspired from different areas of the world. It will be Pozo̢۪s first time performing.

The event coordinator, Cyndi N. Kobi-Laccruche said that the event is going into its 24th year and is run by the Association for the Promotion of International Culture (APIC).

“The purpose of APIC is to inform Fresno State about the growing and culturally diverse community that is present on campus,â€Â Kobi-Laccruche said. “International Culture Night was created 24 years ago in an effort to primarily educate, then entertain the audience.â€Â

Kobi-Laccruche has been involved with the event since 2005, and having recently accepted the position of coordinator and president of APIC, she is noticing the increase of international students and wants the event to reflect that.

“There is a higher number of international students coming to Fresno State every year. Many of these students represent various cultures, and bring a unique form of intellectual capital to the classes and to our campus community as a whole,â€Â Kobi-Laccruche said, adding that the promotion of student exchange programs on a global level has given students from over 60 nations a chance to study here. “Fresno is becoming a more cultural city, and I think people are realizing that.â€Â

Over 800 people are expected to attend the performance, which will include students and performers from The California Arts Academy.

The four groups from the academy will be featured in acts from four different cultures: flamenco from Spain, celtic dance from Ireland/England/Scotland, belly dancing from the Mediterranean and Javanese Court Dance from Indonesia.

Del Pozo said that his fellow students should come to see and be a part of the different performances.

“International Culture Night is really an intercultural exchange. I encourage all people and Fresno State students to come to enjoy and connect with our world’s culture and beauty without having to travel too far,â€Â Del Pozo said. “Personally, I am excited to see performances from other continents of the world.â€Â

Del Pozo’s performance song will be “El Puente de los Suspirosâ€Â, a traditional Peruvian song which translates to “The Bridge of Sighs.â€Â

The song centers around a bridge that has become a landmark in Lima, Peru: the “puentecito escondidoâ€Â.

Chabuca Granda, known as one of the most important Peruvian composers in the 1970̢۪s according to Pozo, tells the story of her memories of growing up there.

“She used to visit the bridge frequently in the afternoons to escape from ordinary daily life,â€Â Del Pozo said. “She became a witness of true stories and romances of people passing by the bridge and of lovers waiting for their companions. The bridge acquired the personality of a guardian of secrets of love and sighs.â€Â

With a view of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by “flowering trees,â€Â Del Pozo said that many artists, painters and musicians have made the bridge increasingly popular throughout the years.

During his performance, Del Pozo is going to show images of Lima and the bridge, which Del Pozo said has become a must-see for visitors because of “its stories, legends and its simple beauty.â€Â

Del Pozo will be sending pictures of the event to all of his family who are in Peru.

But he will have people present to see him perform live.

“My girlfriend, Megan, and some friends from the catholic church will be in the audience supporting [me],â€Â Del Pozo said.

But Del Pozo wants to reach everyone listening with the message of what he is hoping people will get out of his performance.

“I hope the audience enjoys to hear a different way of expressing feelings of love and remembrance,â€Â Del Pozo said. “And maybe connect a little bit more with people from a totally different culture but with the same human feelings and desires.â€Â

International Culture Night

Come see performances representing cultures from around the world.

̢ۢ When: Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.

̢ۢ Where: the Satellite Student Union.

̢ۢ Cost: Admission is free.