Jamboree to Aid Sister City

A cultural jamboree--an international offering of music, dance, food and goodwill--will fill Conejo Creek North Park on Sunday.

It’s all part of the Thousand Oaks Sister City Committee’s first annual International Festival being held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nonprofit corporation was formed two years ago in an effort to foster friendship and initiate person-to-person contact with citizens from cities around the world, said co-organizer Lucy Melkonian.

The committee’s first Sister City contact is with Spitak, Armenia. “We decided to assist in their redevelopment after the (1988) earthquake,” she said. The committee will donate funds to help rebuild a small apartment complex in Spitak. About 20 families are still awaiting reconstruction, Melkonian said, and are being housed in shacks near the complex.

Sunday’s event will feature an impressive offering of folk dance troupes representing many cultures. Highlights include Armenian, Greek, Ukrainian, Scottish and Hairenik dance exhibitions.

“It’s a way of trying to reach out to other nations and foster a greater awareness of each country,” she said.

“You would have to travel to the different areas to experience these international activities,” said Melkonian’s husband and co-organizer, Vasken. “We’re bringing it all to Thousand Oaks, and it’s all free.” Vasken Melkonian said to be sure to bring an appetite and enjoy a wide array of international foods. All money from food sales will be allocated to the Spitak relief fund.

Future Sister City contacts include cities in Ukraine and Japan. Sunday’s event will include children’s activities, a performance by Olympia, an Armenian-Greek band, and international folk dance lessons starting at 10 a.m.

“Our whole purpose is to bring people together and have a joyful time,” he said.

Conejo Creek North Park is behind the Thousand Oaks Library (1401 E. Janss Road, Thousands Oaks). For more information, call 498-9472 or 499-5319.