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2017 International Festival
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The International Festival event was held on November 19, 2017 at various venues including International Conference Center Hiroshima and the green belt on Peace Boulevard.
This was the 18th time that the event has been held.
A total of 65 civic groups and companies that are involved in international exchange and cooperation activities in Hiroshima and the surrounding areas held a variety of 38 different events related to intercultural understanding, the global environment, multicultural cohabitation and Japanese culture experiences.
A total of 10,500 visitors, the highest number ever, came to the event.
Visitors from both Japan and overseas spent the day experiencing the cultures of many different countries around the world.
Talk show: "Tell us Bobby! What kind of place is Nigeria?"
The famous Nigerian TV personality Mr. Bobby Ologun was invited as guest and spoke about life in Nigeria, and the role of sport in Nigeria.
The venue was quickly filled, and the audience were entertained throughout the show with the humorous talk.
An audience said "the fast-paced talk was funny," and another said "Nigeria feels more familiar to me than it did before."
Introduction to international exchange and cooperation activities
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The story hour in foreign languages
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In the section introducing the activities of civic groups, sixteen organizations set up booths and provided information on their respective international exchange and cooperation activities.
There were also other booths set up by governmental organizations, NGOs, university students, companies, and more, and visitors enjoyed themselves looking at displays of photos and other materials, dressing in national folk costumes, participating in quizzes and more.
There were also presentations and report sessions on international exchange and cooperation activities by young people and university students and the story hour in foreign languages.
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Foreign cultures and Japanese culture: introductions and hands-on activities
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In terms of experiencing foreign cultures, there were sections where visitors could learn how to design a traditional Scottish kilt, try Chinese paper cut-out art, and Chinese-style rope-tying.
There were also sections where participants could experience Japanese culture: trying on kimonos, tea ceremony, ikebana flower arrangement, Japanese calligraphy and more.
Both foreigners and Japanese visitors could directly experience wonderful cultures of different countries.
World cuisine and traditional crafts bazaar
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Experiencing Japanese culture (tea ceremony)
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At the green belt on Peace Boulevard on the south side of International Conference Center Hiroshima, sixteen organizations set up stalls selling foods from all over the world, as part of Hiroshima International Village－World Food Stalls.
At the International Cooperation Bazaar, eleven organizations sold traditional crafts from various countries.
There was also a quiz rally where participants answered questions at each of the event venues to win a prize;
the Chikyu Hiroba (global space) where people of all ages could have fun experiencing foreign cultures;
a section where participants could learn about Hiroshima City's sister and friendship cities while making crafts;
an outdoor stage with performances of dances and music from other countries;
a free visa consultation corner for non-Japanese visitors;
a section with information on Japanese language classes in Hiroshima City;
a section where visitors could donate coins from all over the world to support children in developing nations; and more.
Each of the sections were bustling with people, and participants furthered their knowledge and understanding of international exchange and cooperation.
Many citizens and foreign exchange students participated in this event as volunteer staff and enjoyed the day together with the visitors.
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| (International Relations & Cooperation Division) |
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