Culture

This month, the culture, customs, cuisine, and commerce of Belgium are celebrated during the Memphis in May festival, a month long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee. Though it is only 33 years old, the festival is the largest month-long international cultural festival in North America and the official Festival of the City of Memphis. Each year, its salute of an honored country’s people, culture and heritage reaches more than 500,000 citizens throughout the Mid-South region. Through special events, educational, commercial and cultural programs, a thorough understanding is promoted between citizens of the Mid-South and the honored country. The festival itself is split into four main events: The Beale Street Music Festival, the kick-off event which showcases a mix of local and national music acts, International Week, a group of events dedicated to the country that is sponsored that year, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, one of the most popular barbecue contests in the country, and the Sunset Symphony, a night of classical music.