LEXINGTON, Ky. — Global Lex is launching a new festival feature at the 2026 DiverCity Festival designed to celebrate Lexington's international communities and connect residents with organizations serving them.

The Global Lex Village will bring together 10 international community organizations and cultural groups from across Lexington, including Casa De La Cultura, the Marafiki Center, and the Japan/America Society of Kentucky. Global Lex, the city's multilingual, multidisciplinary international center, will guide the effort to highlight traditions, heritage, community resources, and cultural opportunities.

The initiative reflects the DiverCity Festival's theme to educate, embrace, and celebrate the many cultures that enrich Lexington. With thousands of residents and visitors expected, the village will offer cultural exchange and greater visibility for the international communities that call Lexington home.

The Historic Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, located in Lexington's historic East End, is leading this year's festival. Originally opened in 1948 as a cultural hub for Lexington's African American community, the renovated facility now hosts performances, exhibitions, and community programs celebrating diverse cultures.

The partnership between Global Lex and the Lyric Theatre reflects the city's broader commitment to inclusion. Lexington continues to grow as an international and welcoming community where residents from many backgrounds contribute to the city's energy, creativity, and economic vitality. The DiverCity Festival, which began as a Leadership Lexington class project, has grown into one of Lexington's signature celebrations of diversity, featuring live performances, food, vendors, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.