03 October 2008

Palmerston North Sakura Festival 2008

By Shirley Ghozalli and Moira Blake

A dazzling stage performance by the Indonesian students

The performance of the Japanese drum (Taiko) team attracted a large crowd

First year students teaching origami as part of the cultural activities in the Rec Centre's Dojo room

This year, the popular annual event, Palmerston North Sakura Festival, was held on 20th September. Each year it attracts more and more people, both from the local area and from further away. Though it was raining the day before, the weather cleared for the festival, giving us a perfect day with most of the sakura flowers in full bloom to welcome approximately 8000 visitors.

The festival began on the main stage with an opening ceremony. IPC staff member, Sue Jenkins welcomed everybody to the Festival, including repesentatives from several embassies and other dignitaries. Sue introduced the local Member of Parliament, Steve Maharey, the Mayor of Palmerston North, Jono Naylor, and the President of IPC, Ken Cunningham, all of whom gave welcome speeches. These were followed by a Kapa Haka performance by the Te Pou Tuarongo Ki Manawatu group and dance performance by the Vietnamese students. Later in the day, students and community members from various other countries such as Thailand, Tahiti, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia performed on this stage. All of the dancers were wearing dazzling, exotic costumes.

There were also other performances held in other areas of the campus - Taiko Japanese drums (the favourite of the locals), martial arts demonstrations, such as Kendo and Jyujitsu, and musical concerts. A Yosakoi performance, mainly by the 4th year Japanese students, grabbed the visitors" attention. After many long, hard practice sessions, the students were brimming with confidence as they performed the Yosakoi. They received a big round of applause from the spectators.

Long queues at all the food stalls

Spectators applaud the Yosakoi performance, the result of many long, hard practices

For the first time this year, a cheerleaders' group called "Honey" performed. Dressed in matching uniforms and waving golden pom-poms, all of them were also wearing wide smiles as they performed a sequence of movements and formations in unison.

For those who wanted to experience Japanese culture, the Recreation Centre was a popular destination. There were traditional Japanese activities for children such as miniature target practice, yo-yo fishing and balloon fishing games. These were organized mostly by the Foundation students. Other options were kanji writing and dressing in a yukata and then having a photograph taken. In the wonderfully decorated assembly hall, it was impressive to see the students trying their best to communicate with the visitors in English.

There were also cultural displays in the classrooms, and a photography competition and ikebana exhibition in the library.

A special feature of Sakura Festival, which should not be left out, was the food stalls. Every year, students become chefs, prepare foods from their own countries and sell them from these stalls. A range of traditional main course and dessert foods were on offer, and also drinks. They were from many countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. There were so many options that it was difficult to choose. Long lines could be seen everywhere and most stalls were completely sold out by mid afternoon.

For the visitors, the day was fun and full of discoveries. For the students, who participated in the organizing and planning of the festival, as well as working or performing on the day, it was a day full of memories as well.

The dance performance by Indian students for the first time at this year's festival

Children were invited to try Kendo in the Kendo club's demonstration

For more photos, please visit: IPC Sakura Festival 2008 Photo Albums

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