Federal funding freeze puts beloved Festival of Nations at risk

Due to a delay in federal funding for many of its services and programs, the International Institute of St. Louis announced a pause on preparations for this year’s Festival of Nations. The next day, it furloughed more than half of its staff. Despite uncertainties in federal funding, and anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric on a national level, both former and current staff at the institute believe that St. Louis remains a welcoming place for immigrants — and that the St. Louis community can come together to bolster the work of the institute, including its beloved, annual celebration.