Cultural Ambassadors Reunite After 10 Years

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Approximately 150 of the original 600 cultural ambassadors who worked at Millennium Village (now named World ShowPlace Pavilion) in 2000 reunited at Epcot this past October. A decade later, these cultural ambassadors returned to reminisce and once again celebrate the future hand-in-hand at the Walt Disney World Resort. 

The event became emotional for many in attendance, such as former cultural ambassador Mike Sentany from Banbung, Indonesia, who cried when recanting the experience. "I wouldn't trade it for the world," he said. "I learned that it's not about politics or government. None of it mattered, because we were friends, family. I saw that we're all just people and there's good in everybody." 

The Millennium Village was a 60,000-square-foot pavilion between the United Kingdom and Canada pavilions that opened its doors to the public Oct. 1, 1999, as the epicenter of Disney's Millennium Celebration. The building housed exhibit areas for more than 50 countries from around the world and included interactive games and an international food court. 

Over the course of the celebration, the cultural ambassadors were brought here to work side-by-side. They shared their culture and history with each other and the many Guests who made their way to Millennium Village.