Jain Cultural Fair
March 1, 2025, 2 to 5 pm
University of North Texas, Environmental Education Building

Deadline for submissions: February 2, 2025

Mark your calendars! The Jain Studies Program at the University of North Texas will be hosting a Jain Cultural Fair on March 1st 2025. This fun day of food, performances, and activities will celebrate Jain traditions and introduce UNT students to the amazing Jain community in DFW. Our programming is made possible thanks to generous support from the Jain Education and Research Foundation, the Jain Society of North Texas, and UNT's Department of Philosophy and Religion.

Please see below for details on participating in the student essay contest, community art show, and/or community booths. 

Student essay contest: Jain youth (grades 9 to 12) are invited to participate in an essay contest. Winners will present their essays at the fair, and their work will be published in the inaugural issue of Samyak: An Undergraduate Journal of Jain Studies, UNT’s peer-reviewed and open-access journal showcasing student work. Certificates will be awarded to all participants.

Submission details: Essays should not exceed 500 words and are due by February 2. Email submissions by Microsoft Word file attachment to Leah Kalmanson on at leah.kalmanson@unt.edu with the subject line “Jain essay contest.” 

Topics: 

  • Jainism, Ahiṃsā, and Nonviolence (in either historical or contemporary perspective)
  • Jainism, Aparigraha, and the relevance of a minimalist lifestyle today
  • Jainism, Anekāntavāda, and the practice of tolerance
  • Jainism and environmental ethics and/or social justice
  • Jainism, peace building, and international relations
  • Karma in Jainism (from a theoretical, or ethical, or practice perspective, etc.)
  • Meditation and yoga in Jainism
  • Vegetarianism and veganism in Jainism
  • Gender equality in Jainism

Community art show: We invite DFW Jain community members of all ages to submit artwork for display in the Elm Fork Center Gallery during the Jain Cultural Fair. The winning artworks will be photographed and published in a special feature in the inaugural issue of Samyak: An Undergraduate Journal of Jain Studies. Certificates will be awarded to all participants.

Submission details: Deliver your artwork to the Jain Society of North Texas between 10 am and 12 pm on Sunday, February 2. All works must include a card listing the artist’s name, title of work, medium, and full contact info. Artworks will remain on display at UNT for a week after the fair and can be collected from JSNT on March 9th between 10 am and 12 pm.

Eligible formats:

  • 2D works (e.g., paper, canvas)
  • 3D works (sculpture, rangoli, Jain 3D models, etc.)
  • Photography (including collages)

Community booths and displays: Showcase your ideas! DFW Jain community members are invited to host free booths at UNT’s Jain Cultural Fair.

Submission details: Submit proposals to Dr. Leah Kalmanson at leah.kalmanson@unt.edu with the subject line “Jain Fair Booth” by February 2nd 2025. Space is limited, and proposals will be reviewed in the order received until all booths are assigned.

Suggested displays include but are not limited to:

  • Local Jain businesses
  • Homemade crafts for display or sale
  • Clothes and jewelry
  • Local Jain clubs and activities

**If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours for above entries please follow up.**

For inquiries, please contact: Leah Kalmanson (leah.kalmanson@unt.edu), Amit Jain (ajain.aggie@gmail.com), Shaily Jain (shailyj10@gmail.com), or Virang Shah (virangshah@gmail.com).