For Immediate Release:
March 11, 2009

Embassies Open Their Doors for Passport DC

From Columbia Heights’ thriving Hispanic community to the Ethiopian restaurants in Adams Morgan and Brookland’s “Little Rome,” it’s clear that DC is a city of cultural crossroads. This Spring, Cultural Tourism DC once again explores this crossroads by inviting Washington residents and visitors to explore world culture through Passport DC, a multi-day event when embassies open their doors to the general public.

Running April 30 through May 9, the program (which is in its third year) will feature music, dance, crafts and cuisine of various countries represented by embassies throughout the city. To date, participating countries include Japan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Serbia, Thailand, Haiti and many more.

Last year, 150,000 DC residents and visitors participated in the event. Programming included live steelpan drumming at the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, an outdoor art market at the Pakistan Embassy, African musical legend Okyerema Asante at the Ghana Embassy and Macchu Pisco tastings at the Embassy of Peru.

Highlights of the 2009 celebration include the citywide Embassy Open House, taking place May 2 and featuring artists and artisans, performers, lecturers, teachers and others that represent their unique cultures. On May 9, The Meridian International Center continues the global celebration with the International Children’s Festival. This interactive and educational fun-fair introduces children and their families to embassies from around the world through hands-on activities.

Passport DC is open to all residents and visitors, is almost entirely free and is accessible via Metrorail.

For more information, visit PassportDC.org.

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About Destination DC:  Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.