by Shane Hampton

Created on: January 08, 2009

Pittsburgh is a city with rich cultural heritage, and throughout the year you'll find numerous ethnic festivals to attend in this Pennsylvania metropolis. Check out one of the following events and become familiar with a new culture that has made a new home for itself in Pittsburgh.

JEWISH ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL

The United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh holds this film festival in late March to celebrate Jewish and Israeli filmmakers from around the world. 2008's festival featured thirty films screened at multiple venues over a two-week period.

Keep checking the United Jewish Federation's website, http://www.ujfpittsburgh.org, to stay updated on the dates for each year.

RUSSIAN FILM SYMPOSIUM

The University of Pittsburgh hosts this annual film symposium in May. The symposium has gained international attention for its focus not only on the filmmakers of Russia, but on the culture, society, and politics of the former Soviet Union.

For more on the history of the Russian Film Symposium, visit http://www.rusfilm.pitt.edu/.

SILK SCREEN FILM FESTIVAL

This Asian-American film festival occurs every year in May. It has grown rapidly in less than five years to become a prominent showcase for Asian filmmakers in the United States. About thirty films are shown in venues across the city, and the organizers also hold discussions and concerts. Silk Screen allows patrons to buy single-screening tickets for just one movie, priced at $8, or Multi-screening passes for $50. Though this film festival has grown rapidly, it's not done yet. Silk Screen plans to help establish permanent representation for Pittsburgh's Asian community by building a cultural center in the future.

For information about the upcoming festival, go to http://silkscreenfestival.org.

PITTSBURGH FOLK FESTIVAL

Also occurring each May, the Pittsburgh Folk Festival has been celebrating national heritages of the region for more than half a century, and now represents over twenty-five ethnicities. Especially popular with local schools, the festival offers an "Around the World in One Day" event for schoolchildren to experience and learn about the cultural diversity of Pittsburgh. International foods and cultural education are highlights.

See the Folk Festival's website at http://www.pghfolkfest.org/ for more.

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL

In June, the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh suburb, holds its Greek Food Festival. For almost 40 years, volunteers with recipes from their Greek families prepare

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