Two weeks of Asian-American cultural celebration are scheduled to start with a bang just before 1 p.m. today on the steps of Memorial Church, as a Korean drum troupe and speakers open the festival of food, films and exhibits.

Nine Asian-American campus groups joined together to coordinate the celebration, which will showcase documentaries by Asian-American filmmakers, a food festival, a talent show and discussion workshops.

"I think the events are important because they will definitely raise awareness on campus of the diversity of being Asian-American, and the diversity of the involvement in American culture today, by Asian-American Association.

"The events will explore Asian-American history and culture, as well as deal with current political issues," she said.

The celebration will feature a number of films on minority issues. After two of the films, the filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions from the audience.

"Who Killed Vincent Chin?," a film based on the true story of a Chinese-American killed by two Detroit auto workers, will be shown December 3. Renee Tajima '80 produced the 1989 Academy Award nominee.

"Sa-I-Gu," which means "April 29" in Korean, showcases interviews with Korean shopkeepers affected by the riots of last spring. The film's producer, Dai sil Kim-Gibson, will field audience questions after the December 4 showing.

The festival will also feature Asian-American studies workshops with Tufts and Northeastern University professors as well as Harvard graduates on Asian-Americans' relations with the media on December 6.

The final night of the celebration, December 12, will be marked by a exhibition of food and cultural performances from all the campus Asian-American groups.

The groups sponsoring the celebration's events are the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association, Chinese Students Association, Hong Kong Club, Japan Society, Korean Students Association, Phillipine Forum, South Asian Association, Taiwanese Cultural Society and Harvard Vietnamese Association.