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UID:events.uid.5039@www.discovernikkei.org
DTSTART:20151108T000000Z
DTEND:20151108T000000Z
DESCRIPTION:<strong>Okinawan community begins preparation for 2016 homeland
  visit</strong>\n\nOn Sunday\, November 8th\, 4:00 PM\, the Okinawa Associ
 ation of America (OAA) in Gardena will be hosting their first information 
 session for the 6th Worldwide Uchinaanchu Festival <em>(Sekai no Uchinaanc
 hu Taikai)</em> in 2016. Established in 1990\, the Taikai is hosted by the
  Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) every five years and serves as a "ho
 mecoming" for the descendants of Okinawan immigrants. The 2016 Taikai even
 t will take place from October 26 to October 30.\n\nIn 2011\, a record 5\,
 000+ participants from the Okinawan diaspora around the world converged at
  the 5th Worldwide Uchinaanchu Festival with representatives from Argentin
 a to Zimbabwe. An opportunity for Okinawan communities to deepen the under
 standing of their roots\, as well as strengthen international relations\, 
 many Festival goers plan family and group vacations to experience this uni
 que gathering where the OPG plans an extensive range of activities for the
  overseas Okinawan communities: from official ceremonies in a sports stadi
 um to outdoor and theater performances\; cultural exchanges to leadership 
 symposiums addressing relevant issues\; and even tournaments featuring Oki
 nawan karate to eisaa drumming.\n\nThe Uchinaanchu Taikai is unique in tha
 t it is the only festival of its kind in Japan. Okinawa Prefecture was onc
 e the independent Ryukyu Kingdom and that sense of identity has remained s
 trong among Okinawan natives and Okinawans who immigrated over 100 years a
 go.\n\nThe OAA-hosted session on November 8th will explain the background 
 of the Taikai (including videos from the 2011 festival) and what to expect
 . Past participants will give short presentations about their experiences.
  OAA will hold a series of info sessions in 2016 for those interested in a
 ttending. Although the OAA will not be handling travel arrangements\, gene
 ral knowledge and suggestions will be shared over the course of those info
  sessions.\n\nThe OAA is located at 16500 South Western Avenue\, Gardena 9
 0247 (the event will take place in the OAA's Room 103\, located in the gla
 ss office building). Limited seating and parking. Please contact the OAA f
 or more information: 310-532-1929\, oaamensore@gmail.com\n
DTSTAMP:20240416T143321Z
SUMMARY:INFO SESSION: Worldwide Okinawa Festival 2016 (Sekai no Uchinaanchu
  Taikai)
URL:/en/events/2015/11/08/info-session-worldwide-okinawa-festival-2016-sek/
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