NAIST participated in the Ikoma International Friendship Festa (November, 4th 2023)

NAIST participated in Ikoma International Friendship Festa organized by Ikoma City Hall at the Belle Terrasse Ikoma and Takemaru Hall on November 4th, in cooperation with our university, the Ikoma International Friendship and Communication Association (Ikoryu) and other organizations.

NAIST cooperated with Ikoma City Hall in 2022 to create the Ikoma International Friendship Festa, an internationally-themed festival for Ikoma citizens, as Ikoma has a strong, diverse international community. From this beginning, activities that allowed for NAIST international students to experience Japanese culture and meet new people were included in the event.

This year's event involved more organizations and was expanded to include food trucks and other activities that became possible following the COVID-19 pandemic. The event opened with greetings from Mayor Komurasaki and this was followed by a traditional Korean dance and music performance and an Ikoma Sanroku Taiko drum performance. Following the opening, NAIST students were able to participate in the Ikoma Sanroku Taiko drum event and roughly 15 students played these traditional drums with the help of the Ikoma Sanroku Taiko group.

Following this stimulating experience many of our international students went on to participate in the Yukata lesson where around 30 students, both male and female, were given instruction on how to wear the yukata properly. Once everyone was dressed right, they headed outside, trying tea and walking around the event, which was once again blessed with great weather.

At 13:00, NAIST international students led an event where they introduced their country and its culture, and everyone could enjoy a food, snack, etc. from their country as well. Robert King from the Center for International Students and Scholars served as the MC and our students from the Philippines, Sudan and Nigeria introduced their country and culture, including information about history, current events, holidays, etc. Following the diverse presentations, the attendees and presenters both tried polvorones from the Philippines, hibiscus tea commonly drank in Sudan, and Ginger tea and dates, commonly seen in Nigeria. The audience took the opportunity to talk with our students about their countries and cultures, and talk about their experience in Japan as well.

The festival was once again a great success, with many people stopping by to see the various booths and events, and NAIST students were able to experience Japanese culture firsthand while also making new acquaintances in Ikoma. We are looking forward to next year's festival.