CONTACT: LOIS GRAY
International Programs
Iowa City IA 52242
(319) 335-2026
e-mail: lois-gray@uiowa.edu

Release: April 5, 2000

UI to celebrate Japanese festival Omatsuri April 14

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The local community is invited to celebrate the annual Japanese festival Omatsuri on Friday, April 14 from 8-10 p.m. in the International Center Lounge at the University of Iowa. The event is free and open to the public.

Daniel Andrlik, a Japanese and Russian House programmer and an event organizer, says the event will feature a variety of activities for everyone who celebrates different facets of Japanese culture.

"People can do karaoke and learn origami and shodo (Japanese calligraphy)," Andrlik says. "We'll also have free sushi. It's a fun, non-alcoholic event for the weekend celebrating Japanese culture."

Omatsuri is an International Crossroads Community (ICC) program and is co-sponsored by UI International Programs, the Association of Residence Halls, UI Student Government and the Stepping Up Project.

The International Crossroads Community is open to all students interested in international issues, foreign language or who want to learn about different cultures. Membership is diverse, and in addition to Omatsuri, the student organization sponsors several other cultural events throughout the year, including the Gusto Latino Festival (Spanish), Oktoberfest (German) and Rigolade (French) festivals.

The International Crossroads Community is affiliated with the UI International Programs, a department with various offices, centers, degree programs and other services that serve to further internationalize the campus and the community, and to promote global scholarship, research and teaching.

For more information, call Andrlik 353-3067, or e-mail him at dandrlik@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu.