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UID:events.uid.6691@www.discovernikkei.org
DTSTART:20221022T000000Z
DTEND:20221022T000000Z
DESCRIPTION:<strong>Final info session before heading “home” to Okinawa
 </strong>\n\nOn October 22nd (Saturday)\, the Okinawa Association of Ameri
 ca (OAA) will host their final information session (11 a.m.) and uniform p
 ick-up (12:30 - 3) before heading “home” to Okinawa for the 7th Worldw
 ide Uchinaanchu Taikai/Festival. This session will be held virtually on Zo
 om with a limited in-person component at the OAA Center in Gardena for par
 ticipants without computer access and participants who ordered t-shirts an
 d accessories. RSVP is required for both the info session and pick-ups: <a
  href="https://tinyurl.com/oaa-taikai-22" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/oaa-
 taikai-22</a> (the Zoom link will be emailed to you)\n\nThe OAA strongly e
 ncourages anyone with an elder parent\, grandparent\, or relative planning
  to go to the Taika to please check in with them and make sure they’re p
 roperly registered online and understand Japan’s “Fast Track” system
  for overseas visitors (regardless of nationality).\n\nFor descendants of 
 Okinawan immigrants\, the Taikai is widely seen as a “homecoming” that
  serves as a bridge to connect more to and learn more about their roots. F
 or many sansei\, yonsei\, and gosei (third\, fourth\, and fifth generation
  descendants)\, it’s their first time visiting the homeland of their par
 ents/grandparents/ancestors. Heartfelt greetings of “okaeri (welcome hom
 e)” are often heard at the airport and on the streets.\n\nParties affili
 ated with the OAA who are planning to travel to Okinawa for the festivitie
 s are strongly encouraged to attend the October 22nd information session f
 or any last-minute updates and instructions on participating in the Intern
 ational Parade.\n\nThere will also be a more detailed itinerary for the OA
 A’s independently-planned excursions and gatherings. Understanding that 
 some first-time visitors may not have local relatives or friends who can s
 how them around\, the association organizes these group activities at ever
 y Taikai to make sure that everyone feels included.\n\nParticipants who do
  not have computer access are invited to attend in-person. Participants wh
 o ordered t-shirts and accessories are also invited to pick up their merch
 andise. To ensure the safety of staff\, volunteers\, and attendees alike\,
  RSVP is strictly required (walk-ins not accepted) and the OAA’s COVID-1
 9 safety protocols will be in place including the mandatory wearing of fac
 e masks.\n\nAlthough the OAA will not be handling travel arrangements\, su
 pport and registration assistance will be available for current OAA member
 s. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Festival/Taikai’s offi
 cial multilingual website for more information\, list of events\, and upda
 tes: <a href="https://wuf2022.com/en" target="_blank">wuf2022.com/en</a>\n
 \nEstablished in 1990\, the international Festival/Taikai is hosted by the
  Okinawa Prefectural Government and is the only event of its kind in all o
 f Japan. Okinawa Prefecture was once the independent Ryūkyū Kingdom and 
 that sense of unique identity and rich cultural heritage has remained stro
 ng among Okinawan natives\, those who emigrated\, and descendants around t
 he world. The first Okinawan immigrants arrived in California over a centu
 ry ago.\n\nPlease contact the OAA for more information: 310-532-1929 (plea
 se leave a message)\, oaamensore@gmail.com. The OAA is a 501(c)(3) non-pro
 fit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Okinawan culture. F
 acebook/Instagram: @oaamensore
DTSTAMP:20240425T075323Z
SUMMARY:Final Info Session: Uchinaanchu Taikai/Festival in Okinawa
URL:/en/events/2022/10/22/final-info-session-uchinaanchu-taikaifestival-in/
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