Annual Festival at Renison University College Showcases Cultures of East Asia
The annual East Asian Festival was held at the University of Waterloo’s Renison University College on Sept. 28. The campus is located approximately 120 km west of Toronto, and the event drew a lot of families eager to be participate in this showcase of Japanese and other East Asian cultures.
The Consulate General of Japan sponsored a performance by the Isshin Daiko drum troupe.
As every year, the Consulate General of Japan provided support for the festival, this year sponsoring a taiko performance, as well as maintaining a booth that providedinformation on tourism and the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. Renison University College students also acted as models for a formal Japanese makeup and kimono demonstration and gave explanations of traditional Japanese fashion.
Clockwise from top left: The Consulate General of Japan’s booth;
taking a photo with a Japanese maiko (apprentice geisha); kimono exhibit;
explanation of traditional Japanese fashion.
The idea of the Festival was orginally proposed by Mrs. Keiko Belair, Honorary Chair and Special Advisor to the Sakura Japanese Language School situated at Renison University College. Ms. Belair recently received a commendation from Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs for such contributions toward the promotion of greater understanding of Japan among Canadians. The East Asian Festival has been held almost every year since 1993, showcasing the cultures of Japan, China and Korea. As always, there also were many Chinese and Korean attractions featured this year.
Clockwise from top left: Shiseido Canada’s booth; K-pop and dance sponsored by
the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; onigiri rice balls by Renison volunteers;
Calligraphy provided by the Confucius Institute.
