March 11 proved to be an exciting day on campus as multiple departments and organizations came together to host Japan Festival. Japan Festival was hosted by the Department of English Modern Foreign Languages, the Japan Outreach Initiative Program, the Japan Foundation NY and the Asian Culture Center of TN.
Japan Festival allowed UTM students to gather in the UC to celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of Japan. At the festival, a number of performances and demonstrations pertaining to Japanese culture were given, including a shamisen performance, mochi making, a calligraphy demonstration, a karate demonstration and several tables sharing travel information and interactive activities to participate in. The event was a huge success, as students, faculty and community members filled the UC ballroom.
Volunteers of the festival also urged the attendants to additionally attend the Asian Festival, held in Knoxville at the World’s Fair Park. Asian Festival is an annual festival that, like the Japan Festival at UTM, is held to celebrate and commemorate cultures different from America’s. At Asian Festival, there will also be opportunities to try authentic Asian cuisine, observe traditional performances and appreciate the many cultures of Asia. The 2024 Asian Festival will be held this September and will be introducing a new and exciting event: an opportunity to meet ninjas. Along with being able to meet ninjas, the hosts of Japan Festival greatly encouraged the people of Martin to explore the many aspects of Asian culture at Asian Festival.
While this festival aimed to share Japan’s culture with the community, Japan Festival brought another initiative to UTM. After the catastrophic earthquake that took place in Japan Jan. 1, causing numerous deaths and damage to buildings. Japan Festival, while being a free event, accepted donations to go towards helping damage in Japan be reversed.
UTM is very thankful for the opportunities shared and the work being done by the volunteers and hosts of Japan Festival, and great interest has been expressed in yet another Japan Fest in 2025.
