For immediate release: Nov. 6, 2009

BLOOMSBURG — A celebration of Islamic Spain and religious tolerance, "A Night in Andalusia," will be held Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Kehr Union, multipurpose A.

Activities will feature presentations, poetry readings, music and dance about Andalusia, an area of southern Spain. During the years 711 to 1450, the region developed culturally and educationally with advances in the sciences, philosophy, poetry, art and architecture. It was also a time of religious tolerance, when Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in relative peace.

Victoria Vanek, a junior history major from Lansdale who helped organize the event, said, "It is important to realize there was a time in history when religions and different cultures were respectful of each other and able to get along."

According to Vanek, the evening will be educational, yet fun, with interactive activities. The event is sponsored by BU's Arabic Club, Spanish Club, the museum exhibition class and guitar class. For more information, contact Vanek by e-mail or by phone at (215) 740-2345.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.