Don Quijote Restaurante in Valparaiso held its annual ‘Culture Week’ from April 10 through 18. High School students from throughout Northwest Indiana had lunch at Don Quijote to enjoy delicious Spanish food and watch Flamenco dancers perform traditional folklore. Some of the traditional dishes that were served were Tortilla Española beef meatballs and arroz con pollo, rice with vegetables and chicken.
“Food and entertainment? You can’t go wrong!” VHS junior Ethan Pony exclaimed before he joined the Flamenco dancers on the Don Quijote stage.
“We have been hosting Culture Week for the past 21 years and it gets better each and every year, said Elena Jambrina of Don Quijote. “It’s an honor that so many different schools attend this cultural experience. It educates people about both the culture and food.”
The students had the opportunity to drink from bota bags, learn how to play traditional Spanish instruments, and perform alongside the Flamenco dancers on the beautiful Don Quijote stage. ‘Culture Week’ diminishes the preconceived stereotypes of the Spanish culture by teaching students about Spanish native traditions.
VHS junior Allie Thome stated, “This event is such an informative cultural experience. I think that it is awesome that we get a chance to try Spanish food while also learning about the different regions in Spain through the art of dancing. It was really fun watching my peers Flamenco dance!”
While Spain is well known for its flawless Flamenco dancing, Don Quijote is on a mission to expose students to the other aspects of the country and culture. They try to show as much as they can about both the northern and southern parts of Spain.
Twin Lakes High School student Colby Davis stated, “The food was really good! My favorite food was the meatballs and watching the dancers was also really fun!”
The schools that attended Culture Week were Andrean, Pioneer, Concordia, Watseka, Kouts, La Lumiere, Hammond, Thea Bowman Academy, Morgan Township, Benton Central, Southmont, Valparaiso, Michigan City, Grant Park, Lake Michigan Catholic, North Newton, Churubusco, Rensallear, Kankakee Valley, Oregon Davis, Chesterton, Twin Lakes, Northwestern Kokomo, Rochester, Portage, and John Glen.