GSU

Cultural Immersions
Individual Assignment
hannah 12/2/2013

Cultural Immersions 1

Japan Festival JapanFest was held September 21, 2013 at the Gwinnett Civic Center in Duluth, Georgia. The venue itself is an enormous place so my expectations were carried high for this cultural event. Along with the company of three friends, we surprisingly enjoyed and appreciated diving into the Japanese culture. This event started in 1981, originally called Japan Week around the city of Atlanta. As a non-profit corporation, it has taken place annually around the country. Their mission, like all cultural events, is to increase cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the meshing between the Japanese and American society. The lines were outside the double doors upon our arrival and we were anxious to see what all the chaos was about. The moment we paid our tickets and walked in, the venue was decorated beautifully and there were rows of kiosks of anime dolls, games for kids, hello kitty accessories, and people everywhere. We were handed brochures upon entering the festival and realized there was a show going on. Next, we decided to go watch the Japanese children perform during a karate show. They showed how disciplined they were and techniques they probably prepared just for the festival. The show was soon over and our next stop was food. There were numerous food vendors and the smell of delicious food surrounding us as soon as we entered the cafeteria area. We quickly decided to stand in the shortest line because the entire place was overcrowded. While my friends opted for sushi, I preferred to try a hibachi dish with seasoned chicken and vegetables. The food surprisingly tasted very authentic and tasty for a catering company. Unfortunately, we didnt have enough time to try anything else. Not too far from where we were eating, there was an area where several women were writing names in Japanese. We stood in a short line to have our names written in front of us. The woman writing my name explained that the alphabet was written in symbols and syllables. I also found out that the meaning of my name is flower. After visiting different vendors and seeing the different games and attractions they had to offer, we decided to try on traditional kimono gowns. They patterns varied, but they were all beautiful. I could tell by the fine detailing and stitching that these gowns were expensive. The price range went from eighty to three hundred dollars. There were several more activities that took place such as the performing arts and demonstrations, clothing kiosks, traditional music and dances, origami, and even Japanese bonsai tree exhibitions. Although I share the same Asian ethnicity as the Japanese, their culture is similar in some ways, but very much different at the same time. Traditional costumes, foods, music, and even the language all had a similar foundation to the Korean culture! Even then, I was very intrigued by the all the interesting things I encountered. Seeing the volunteers so immersed into the culture, wearing all types of costumes, and the laughter of children enjoying the activities made the time worthwhile. I never really had much interest in diving into different culture events, but for the first one of the semester, I was blessed. I learned that I could gain a lot of awareness with just a couple hours and Im eager to see what else is in store for me.

Cultural Immersions 2

OPA! The Greek Festival was held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on October 3 6. The church itself is a cornerstone of Greek culture and tradition. This festival was made to highlight the important aspects of Greek culture and religion in America. This was the third cultural immersion that I attended with 2 other girls. As we made our way through admissions into the festival, I went in with zero knowledge about Greek culture. One of the girls I was with had experienced working at a Greek restaurant, so she was able to point out good foods and cultural traditions. There was not that much going on when we arrived in the morning, but I still gained more cultural awareness every step I took at this event. There were many exhibits that depicted the Greek culture within America. The way they incorporated all the music, decorations, food, and arts, really captured the contributions of the different culture within our own. I learned that the fine arts of the Greeks and the Western arts of Americas influence each other to make a beautiful masterpiece. For example, the church that the festival was held in was beautifully structured with stained-glass, wall designs, and marble. Still they were able to make it home in Atlanta, Georgia. The carefully carved sculptures show an immense amount of emotion in one figure. It was especially amazing to see the fine arts since I have been immersed in the arts myself, for over ten years. Next, we made our way to the best part, the food! Anita acted as our host as we patiently waited in the long line ahead of us. Her excitement while describing all the different types of cuisines made all of us want to try everything. We went for the most known and simple dish first: The gyro. It is a type of sandwich that is held in place with a pita flatbread, and filled with your choice of lamb, chicken, or beef, with vegetables and spicy tzatziki sauce. It tasted a little more authentic than what you would normally taste at a local restaurant, but it was still very good. Then, we tried the Greek Yogurt that was topped with an assortment of nuts and a swirl of honey. Ultimately, I think my favorite food that I tried was Baklava, a popular pastry dessert topped with honey and nuts. Finally being satisfied from the good eats, we came across dance performances. OPA! Was a new word I learned the moment I entered the festival. It was on the brochure we received and was heard everywhere we went. We found out that it had more than one meaning and the word itself was used as a sound of praise or approval. We also saw a Priest and talked a little more about the culture and also took a picture. The whole environment was filled with music from the Alpha-Omega sound in the background. The traditional music made the experience more interesting. I enjoyed feeling like a tourist in a different country! The festival also offered arts and craft, jewelry, clothes, and Greek trinkets. It was interesting to see all the activities for all ages. As part of the entertainment, the Greek festival also had an eating contest of who could eat the most Loukoumades (Greek honey puffs). That was also a fun experience for all of us. The main part of the whole day was right before we left. There was an enormous group of people clapping and dancing in a circle yelling OPA! to the music. Embracing everything I just saw, the laughter and closeness I felt made me realize that the Greek culture was something anyone could enjoy. The people were nice, the food was absolutely amazing, and the arts and decors were stunning. As I immerse in different cultures continuously, I see how much we could gain from just a couple hours of your day. As always, I have little hope because I do not know what to expect, but like always, it was well-worth it. I never expected to come across the Greek culture in this way, but I am very grateful I had the chance to experience yet another cultural experience.

Cultural Immersions 3

Tomorrowworld Among all the different events I have ever attended, Tomorrowworld 2013 was by far the most mindblowing experience in my life. It was the first international edition of Tomorrowland, held by a company called ID&T. Originally it is an enormous festival in Belgium, but this year it was expanded to our very hometown! This 21 years and older event took over 8,000 acres in Chattahoochee Hills, September 27-29. We spent three long days with unlimited music, dancing, meeting different people from all over the world, sharing stories, and spreading PLUR. The endless nights were spent camping under fireworks and meeting even more people. Being an international event, I was able to see the way that different cultures meshed. It was simply amazing. Ive always heard about festivals all over the country, but none of them can compare to Tomorrowworld. Knowing that they have had this tradition going for nine years all the way in Europe, it was well worth every second. There were over 300 EDM (electronic dance music) artists such as Tiesto, David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren, Porter Robinson, Benny Benassi, and so much more. There were 5 stages including the main stage which had over 4,000 people alone! Welcoming over 40,000 souls from over 100 nations, there was not one negative vibe. The first couple of hours there, I was able to connect with people from Sweden, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, and of course across the country too. The music begins to play every day at noon and ends with fireworks at 1 A.M. People were dressed up in costumes, the dcor was stunning, the lights were mesmerizing, and the music was perfect. The walking from the different stages to the campgrounds, bathrooms, food, with the sun beating down on us was the only pained memory I have. Other than that, I feel that everyone should dive into the rave culture. Its a breathtaking experience to see and be a part of such a powerful movement that society oppresses. Usually people tend to associate raves as places for drug distribution, use, and abuse. Although it may be true, there is a lot more to the rave culture than these unnecessary rumors. The overall goal at these events is to spread PLUR which is the mantra of the EDM movement. Various cultures come together with a mindset of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. This saying began in 1993 as a response from NYC DJ Frankie Bones after a fight broke out during his concert. He stated, If you dont start showing some peace, love, and unity, Ill break your faces! When I heard this story for the first time, it really made me realize what this huge scene is all about. People really live up to the motto at these events. Everyone treats each other with respect, they show love, spread peace, and strive to unite. PLUR is not only a saying though, it holds its own symbolism. It is accompanies with a symbolic handshake which includes the trading of kandis. Kandi accessories are simply pony beads that people individually make into mainly bracelets and cuffs (but many other things as well) and trade while doing the handshake. Each kandi represents something special from the person you give or receive it from. I have a cuff that has been traded from England, to New York, and to my arms. Also, Ive received a bracelet from a kandi girl from Australia who decorates each of her bracelets with a different stone. She shared with me that she traveled all the way to the Mayan Ruins to have the stones blessed by the Mayan gods. When she passes it along, she sends each one off with a prayer. There are a lot of spiritual beings who embodies peace, love, unity, and respect to the fullest extent. Most people take this symbolic tradition very seriously because PLUR is also a way of life. This festival was a place for all cultures to gather and get to know one another. It is a mission to trade their bracelets as a sign of PLUR all over the world. It is a mission to embrace everyone you come in contact with. It is a mission to have all cultures come together and unite under the rave movement. We become one as what we call, a rave family, and besides the family that raised you, this one is made up of the whole world.