International Day showcases Glendale Heights' diversity

With the backdrop of a park that frequently hosts cricket matches and tournaments, performers representing countries from across the world shared a bit of their culture in Glendale Heights on Sunday.

Although the ninth annual International Day included countries from Europe, Central America and the Middle East, Glendale Heights resident Laurie Caglayan said it was still missing something.

"I would have liked to have seen some level of American culture in there," she said of the event being held at Camera Park. "I didn't feel like it had any of that. But it's so important to have a culture."

Laurie's husband, Ercan Caglayan, agreed.

"It's nice to see people from all different cultures, the Indonesians and those from India, clapping for each other," he said. "It is more important (to include American culture) because all cultures came and made this country."

Ercan and his daughter, 8-year-old Leyla, did a traditional dance from their native Turkey as part of the celebration. He said the chance to show off his culture was something he cherished.

He said events like International Day could help people be more accepting of one another.

"First of all, we are Americans," he said. "But it's nice to come from Turkey and show some people where we come from. If you show your culture and show who you are, you have more respect."

With performers from Poland, Mexico, Italy and the Caglayans from Turkey, the event represented the village's diversity.

Glenside Cricket Academy member Urvish Desai showcased dance and song from Bollywood in India.

The 22-year-old Hoffman Estates resident said the performance is a matter of trying to share his traditions to people who might not have been exposed to it before.

"When I'm up there, I try to focus on people who are not from India," he said after his high-energy performance. "It's great because they get to see something they maybe never did before."

For Shan and Monica Daniel, who have lived in Glendale Heights for about 15 years, the day is a way to help some people overcome preconceived notions about people who do not share a similar background.

"You can let people who may not like your culture or the way you look, you can hang out and watch some of the show and clap and eat together," he said. "It's like a medicine for a disease."