Festival of Faiths San Antonio celebrates diverse traditions
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Performers at last year's Festival of Faiths San Antonio. Photo: Courtesy of the University of the Incarnate Word
The second annual Festival of Faiths San Antonio on Sunday is expected to bring 44 faith traditions together in one celebratory and educational event that's already grown since its inaugural year.
Why it matters: In a time of national polarization, festival organizers in San Antonio say it's important to have a space to come together and learn about different faith traditions.
Flashback: The inaugural festival last year included representatives from 25 faith traditions, with more than 700 people in attendance.
State of play: This year's festival will be held at the University of the Incarnate Word off Broadway, and is co-hosted by the Interfaith San Antonio Alliance.
- There will be music, art, dance, poetry and food that represent various religions, in addition to several panel discussions.
- Children are welcome, and there will be booths with arts and crafts.
Zoom in: Food trucks include Mr. G. Sushi, MD 305 Soulfood, Miz Mediterranean and Panchito's.
- The range of music and dance includes performances from a Vietnamese Catholic choir, Sikh singers and the Arathi School of Indian Dance.
- A panel at 2:15pm will explore how different faith traditions are called to protect the planet. It will feature speakers from the San Antonio Zen Center and the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bexar County.
- Another panel at 3:10pm will discuss community engagement that works toward a common good. It includes speakers from Bethel AME Church and the Ismaili Muslim Community of San Antonio.
What they're saying: "We certainly see that understanding and knowing each other creates compassion," Rev. Wyndee Holbrook, executive director of the Interfaith San Antonio Alliance, tells Axios.
- "This event gives people permission to just ask their questions and learn from each other."
Context: Christianity is the dominant religion in San Antonio, per the Pew Research Center, with many Catholics and Protestants in the city. At least 3% of adults in the region identify with other religions.
- Antonio Frietze, panels and presentation coordinator for the festival, tells Axios he grew up attending Catholic school in San Antonio and wasn't immediately aware of other faiths in the city until after he left. He says that diversity makes the city special.
The bottom line: The festival is "an expression of who we are as a city," Frietze says.
If you go: The festival is free, but registration is required. It runs noon–6pm on Sunday.
- Find the full schedule online.