**FOR THE * BIG * EVENT OF THE HALF DECADE** (It is believed that there will be an 8th WUF)
What: 7th WORLDWIDE UCHINANCHU FESTIVAL 2022
Website: WUF2022.com (Please click on this link for the latest information)
When: October 29 – Nov 3, 2022
Where: All over Okinawa
For some, this will be an experience of a lifetime. Okinawa, including many of its islands, generously host international Uchinanchu from around the world (which may surprise you where Okinawans have settled). From the pre-event parade to the amazing grand opening ceremony to the awesome closing ceremony, plus, seeing old friends and visiting with family (or meeting them for the first time), this is absolutely worth the trip. This Taikai was deliberately scheduled to be over Oct. 30 to coincide with Worldwide Uchinanchu Day. There will be more on this as we are informed by the Prefecture.
The 2022 Taikai was a great success, considering the short time everyone had to make travel plans, purchase airline tickets and get accommodations. We had about 10 members go, when usually we have around 40. Everyone later expressed what a great opportunity it was, meeting old friends, visiting relatives, taking in the beauty and the history of Okinawa, being entertained and participating in many of the events. The parade, opening and closing ceremonies were not quite as grand as in the the past, but it was still impressive to see and talk to Uchinanchu from around the world! Particularly memorable were the dinners and gifts presented by each main city to participants whose family is from that city, honoring and expressing appreciation for helping rebuild the islands after the war, as well as keeping Okinawan heritage alive and sharing our culture around the world. Many participants discovered things about their family and ancestors that they never knew, deepening their connection to Okinawa.
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2024
What: 新年会 (shinnen Kai) New Year’s (Beginning of Spring) Party
When: 16 March 2024 (Saturday) Doors open at 2:00pm
Where: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 4882 Lavista Rd., Tucker, GA 30084 ( about 1 1/2 miles off of I-285 East, right turn at the Lavista Rd. exit. The church is on the left) This has been our usual gathering location for the last few years…
This is our opportunity to share our member’s talents on the stage and in the kitchen. There will be our traditional dancing, and singing. But, as in past years, this year there will be new additions… a new sanshin group will debut, and comedy. We will have excellent classical guitar, our very popular karate demonstration and sanshin from our newly formed group. This is always a lively and well attended time to enjoy Okinawan homecookin’ and meet friends. If you have a talent and would be willing to perform, we have a spot for you.
This was a great time and the large number of people can be, somewhat, attributed to the excellent (if just a bit cool) weather. Several beautiful dances, a few “minyo” style songs by the sanshin group, two remarkable classical guitar pieces by Richard Googe, a special performance by “GO HIROMI & AKB 2” (our members rendition) and, as always, the fun and energetic Eisa taiko. The audience participation was encouraging and spontaneous. Thank you to all who worked to make this a success and to all who brought food to share. It was wonderful, with a great variety. This is perhaps my favorite event…… but then again….
What: ANNUAL PICNIC
When: June TBD 1pm – ‘Til the fun runs out
Where: We have changed our picnic venue to Penola Mountain State Park, just south of Penola Rd, off of Hwy 155/ Snapfinger Rd. (west of Conyers and north of Stockbridge). (Click HERE for website)
Directions: We will be at Picnic shelter #4. Turn into the main entrance for the Visitor Center. $5 per car (Military discount applies).
This is our organizations time to swing into Spring and summer, filled with a fun, food and fellowship. It’s in a beautiful wooded setting, under a large shelter, with plenty of open space around for games (including badminton) and thing to wear kids out. There is a wonderful hiking path along the river (check out website from link above). It will be warm, but well shaded. Parking is limited at the shelter, but there are plenty of spaces very near by. The Kenjin Kai will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and water. Please bring a side dish or dessert and your favorite drink. There is a water fauset and electricity and several picnic tables. However, we recommend brining folding chairs anything else you desire. There is a $5 per car fee to enter the park (think carpool). We’ll see you there…
This was our second picnic since the COVID pandemic shut things down. Last year was a test and it was overwhelmingly successful! This year we had over 75 members and friends attend and, again, everyone had a wonderful time. There was plenty of great good, games and beautiful scenery. However, most folks just wanted see each other again….
What: JapanFest
When: 16th-17th of September 2023
Where: Click here for website: https://www.japanfest.org
We will be back at JapanFest again this year with a couple of booths. This is our biggest opportunity to inform and share our culture and and arts with the community and thousands who come to Atlanta for this two-day event. We will provide performances on Sunday that pack the stage area and are a crowd favorite.
What: Peachtree City Dragon Boat Race and Festival
When: (Usually The Saturday after JapanFest)
Where: Lake Peachtree (near library), Peachtree City
website: https://ptcdragonboats.org
This is a lot of fun and, again, an opportunity to share Okinawa with our local neighbors. We will have an information booth and a food booth. This year, we plan on forming a rowing team, if we can get enough participants. Two years ago, our team “Uminchu” walked away with medals!! Let’s do it again…
WHAT: WORLD UCHINANCHU DAY
When: TBD. (It will be the closest Saturday to Oct. 30 that we can arrange.)
The established date for this event is October 30 (**see below). We have chosen to have our event on the closest Saturday, to allow for everyone’s work schedule for maximum participation.
Where: We expect to be at our usual venue, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (see New Year’s Party above).
** October 30th was declared by Governor Onaga, at the end of the 2016 Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival/Taikai, as the date for the annual Uchinanchu Day. It is a special day for all Uchinanchu around the world to celebrate who they are, where they are from, the Uchinanchu spirit, culture and heritage, and mainly share memories (for those who lived in the islands), or to learn and embrace their heritage for those descendants who have never been there and know little of remarkable Ryukyu life. “Even if it’s just two of you… meet, talk, share stories/memories and raise a glass of Awamori.”- Gov. Onaga, Oct. 30, 2016 (I prefer Shiquasa chuhai)
ICHARIBA CHO-DE! (Wherever Okinawans meet, they become like family) Also, anywhere two or more Okinawans gather, there will be traditional Okinawan comfort food. (Akisamiyo!! Sooki-soba wa totemo oishii desu ne!!) The format for this event in the future will evolve as we get input from the membership.
What: Annual Christmas Party
When: December 9th, 2023 (Saturday) Doors open @ 2:00pm
Where: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (See New Year’s Party above)
The Christmas Party is coming before you know, and definitely before you’re ready!! This is always a kid-centered evening, but what defines a “kid” is in the heart of the beholder. There will be singin’ and laughin’ and eatin’! This is a festive and seasonal time, so wear your brightest (or ugliest) Christmas outfits…
Somewhat to our surprise, as we became active again coming out of COVID lockdown, we discovered that our kids are kids no more! Thus, the tone of our Christmas party is evolving from Santa and kids to a more a social agenda. There will not be a visit from Santa this year, but we will have seasonal entertainment. However, the first two sentences above still apply!!!