BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//PYVOBJECT//NONSGML Version 1//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:events.uid.6677@www.discovernikkei.org DTSTART:20221008T000000Z DTEND:20221008T000000Z DESCRIPTION:<strong>2nd to last info session for upcoming grand Okinawa hom ecoming</strong>\n\n<strong>On October 8th (Saturday) at 1 p.m. Pacific Ti me\, the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host their third inform ation session for the 7th Worldwide Uchinaanchu Taikai/Festival (October 3 0 - November 3 in Okinawa).</strong> It will be held virtually on Zoom. Fo r attendees who do not have internet access\, a very limited number of in- person spots will be available at the OAA Center in Gardena. <strong>RSVP is required to attend: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/oaa-taikai-22" target= "_blank">tinyurl.com/oaa-taikai-22</a> (the Zoom link will be emailed to y ou)</strong>\n\n<strong>Parties affiliated with the OAA who are interested in traveling to Okinawa for the festivities are highly encouraged to atte nd the the October 8th information session</strong> to learn about travel visa updates\, Japan’s smartphone requirements\, and other important thi ngs to know. There will also be information about the OAA’s group “uni form\,” participating in the international parade\, and planned excursio ns and gatherings. <strong>Registration for the Taikai/Festival is require d by 8:00 a.m. on October 7th.</strong>\n\nEstablished in 1990\, the Festi val/Taikai is hosted by the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) and serve s as a grand "homecoming" for Okinawan immigrants and descendants. This is a fantastic opportunity for Okinawans to deepen their roots as well as in teract with international communities\, with an extensive range of activit ies.\n\nThis Festival/Taikai is the only event of its kind in all of Japan . Okinawa Prefecture was once the independent Ryūkyū Kingdom and that se nse of unique identity and rich cultural heritage has remained strong amon g Okinawan natives\, those who emigrated\, and descendants around the worl d. The first Okinawan immigrants arrived in California over a century ago. \n\n<strong>The OAA-hosted session on October 8 will be a hybrid event wit h a limited in-person option to assist those without internet access.</str ong> In-person attendees are required to RSVP (walk-ins not accepted) and follow the OAA’s COVID-19 safety protocols. The event will be recorded a nd an edited version will be available at a later date.\n\nAlthough the OA A will not be handling travel arrangements\, support and registration assi stance will be available for current OAA members. <strong>Interested parti es are also encouraged to visit the Festival/Taikai’s official multiling ual website: <a href="https://wuf2022.com" target="_blank">wuf2022.com</a> </strong> DTSTAMP:20240419T190021Z SUMMARY:Info Session: Uchinaanchu Taikai/Festival in Okinawa URL:/en/events/2022/10/08/info-session-uchinaanchu-taikaifestival-in-okina/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR