(2016.12.01)Participated in Dango Matsuri

We, Inzai City International Friendship Association, participated in “The 12th Dango Matsuri (Festival)” held on November 26 and 27, 2016, as an exhibitor with many other volunteer groups in Inzai City. In the room allocated to us, we exhibited panels introducing our activities, and also held the so called Friendship Café to provide the visitors to the festival with an opportunity to discuss with each other about international friendship. On both days, many people visited our room, and we had friendly talks with each of them about matters such as importance of peaceful coexistence with the foreign residents in the city through understanding and respecting different cultures.

(2016.11.07)“The 1st World Festival in Inzai” Held

On October 30, 2016, our cross cultural event, “The 1st World Festival in Inzai”, was held successfully with attendance of a number of foreign people living in Inzai City.

The participants enjoyed traditional dances of Hawaii, Uyghur and Japan, as well as wonderful musical performances by the Imba Meisei High School Brass Band, etc. Everyone had a good time with tasty food and friendly discussions.

We are confident that we could continue to provide the participants with the best occasion to have an international friendship with mutual respect for each culture.

We therefore would like to hold the 2nd World Festival in Inzai in autumn next year.

(2016.09.15)“World Festival in Inzai”

We would invite you to join our “World Festival in Inzai”, the event for cultural exchange between foreign residents and Japanese citizens in Inzai. At the event, we will enjoy performances of dance and music of various countries and Japan. It also would be a good occasion for you to meet and talk with those who are interested in establishing international friendship. Light meals and drinks will be served.

Details of the event are as follows.

Time & Date: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. October 30 (Sunday), 2016

Place: Shimin Katsudo Shien Center

2nd Fl. Chuo Ekimae Chiiki Koryukan

(5 minute walk from south exit of Chiba New Town Chuo Station)

Fees: \300 for Member, \600 for Non-member, Free for kids under 12

For participation, please call us at 070-6475-7633, or send E-mail to inzai.ifa@gmail.com not later than October 15.

We look forward to seeing you.

(2016.08.18)General Meeting of the Ribbon held.

We held the general meeting of our “Japanese　Language　Class　Ribbon” at Sohfuke Community Center on Sat. 14th　May, 2016.

The 14 staff members from 5 classes held at 4 different places attended the meeting. They exchanged views frankly for the activities of each class. At the tea party following the general meeting, the participants shared opinions which we hope could contribute to the operation of the Ribbon for starting its 17th year.

(2016.06.27)Annual Cooking Party Held

On June 21, our annual cooking party was held at Chuo-Ekimae Chiiki Koryukan.

At the party, 20 participants including 4 men and the ladies from China and Taiwan enjoyed Russian home cooking under the instruction of Ms. Elena Watanabe who is from Russia and now an Inzai resident and also a student of our Japanese language class “Ribbon”.

The items the participants learned to cook were Meatballs named Hedgehog in Russian language with mashed potatoes, Vegetable soup containing chicken liver, and Cookies.

It is said that the meatballs are so named, because the figure of each ball resembles a hedgehog after the rice stuffed inside is popped out like spines while heated.

As every item was new to the participants, they were in struggle to cook, but finally all foods were made up to the level to win the high praises of Ms. Watanabe.

After the cooking, all the participants had a good time tasting the foods they cooked.

(2016.05.30)From Coordinator of “International Friendship Cafe”

Our latest International Friendship Cafe (IFC) was held on May 26.

At the above IFC, Ms. Sakie Sekimura, who has studied at universities in Xiamen, China and Taiwan, gave the participants a talk under the title “This and That of China from Woman’s View”.

Her presentation covered not only episodes she has experienced during her student days but differences of pronunciation and expression between Chinese and Taiwanese languages, and the topics were further extended to Chinese strange custom of foot-binding, everything of which drew interests of the participants.

Among the participants, there was a lady from China. She shared what she has heard from an old lady who had witnessed this custom before it was abolished, and how Chinese women of today feel about it. We had a very good time.

Thank you.

(2016.05.19)Special Event “Rice Planting with Japanese Families”

May 15, 2016, we participated in the rice planting which was held as one of the commemorative events celebrating the Inzai City’s 20th anniversary.This event was planned and executed by the groups which include NPO Cosmos, Chiba United Soccer Club, Mr. T. Murakoshi of Eiji Kyodoen .

It was a very fine day with clear sky suitable for rice planting. From our association, 19 members joined the event, including 7 foreign participants from China and USA.

The purpose of our participation in this event was to provide foreign citizens with an opportunity to understand the Japanese culture of foods through rice planting together with Japanese citizens.

All the participants seemed to have enjoyed rice planting with their feet and clothes muddy.

We are so grateful to the host groups for not only offering a filed for planting but providing the participants with tasty rice balls, chicken-flavored rice and beverages.

(2016.05.17)フレンドシップ・カフェで英語プレゼンテーションを行いました。

　4月28日のフレンドシップ・カフェで、東京基督教大学の学生のダニエル・ペティットさん（米国人）が、日本庭園の魅力について英語によるプレゼンテーションを行いました。スライドショーを使っての彼の説明がとても分かりやすく、参加者の全員が満足し、喜んでいました。当日の参加者15名のうち非会員が7名。そのうち3名がその場で会員になっていただけました。自己紹介をしたり、お互いに質問をしあったりして、和気あいあいとした座談会のような文化交流ができました。

　5月は、スタッフの関村さんの中国事情あれこれについてスライドショーをお願いしています。たくさんの方のご参加をお待ちしています。