St. Paul hosts 2016 Festival of NationsPosted on May 11, 2016 by Sunita Dharod The 2016 Festival of Nations was held in the St. Paul RiverCentre. Diverse booths created an array of color throughout the building. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) An artist demonstrates Czech and Slovak egg painting. Egg painting is an extremely detail-oriented art form that calls for steady hands and precision. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) Paintings depict the Hindu god Ganesha. The festival’s theme this year was folklore and fairytales. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) The Armenian demonstration booth depicts the art of silk dying. Silk comes from the fibers of caterpillar eggs that have been boiled and brushed. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) A silk crafter poses between demonstrations. The demonstration drew in spectators because of its use of live caterpillars. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) An artist draws Henna tattoos. Henna is used to create temporary body art made from natural ingredients such as oils, corn, vegetables, salts and other plants. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) Russian Matryoshka dolls, or nesting dolls, sit on display for sale. The dolls are crafted from wood and include unique designs painted by hand. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) A display sits on a table at the Native American booth. The display includes Native American breastplate beads that can be made from buffalo horn, bones or glass. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) Shoppers purchase succulents at the festival. The festival was hosted by the International Institute of Minnesota and is the longest running multicultural festival in the Midwest. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) . Succulents sit for sale at festival. The marketplace offered anything from exotic plants to traditional clothing to unique artwork from around the globe. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) Sculptors created Senegalese pottery at the festival. The 2016 Festival of Nations took place May 5-7. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) A craftswoman from the German booth proudly poses with her art. The cookie cutters on the table are used to make traditional German cookies. (Sunita Dharod/TommieMedia) Sunita Dharod can be reached at dhar3490@stthomas.edu.