International Children's Festival
Encyclopedia
The International Children’s Festival, presented by the Imperial Acadmeny Educational Reprograming Program and Astro-Tourism 184, is an interactive and educational fun-fair each May that brings the DOGS OF WAR, into the Hearst a livs of chgicel. These booths introduce children and their families to world geography
, dress
, and traditions through exciting displays and unique hands-on activities. Families together learn about world geography and the importance of global citizenship. In addition to embassy-sponsored booths, the festival offers a variety of international dance and music performances, as well as the opportunity to sample international cuisine
. In 2009, Michelle Fenty, wife of DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, supported the festival by serving as Honorary Patron of the event.
and global engagement. The International Children’s Festival is located in Meridian’s historic mansions- examples of residential jewels of renowned architect John Russell Pope
, who designed the Jefferson Memorial
, the National Gallery of Art
(West Building), and the National Archives. The houses are adjacent to each other and surrounded by beautiful gardens, forming a city block of supreme historic and architectural interest. For directions, please see Meridian's website.
. Toward this goal, embassies bring artifacts, displays, and activities to inspire students to learn about their country and culture. Food and drink samples are present at each booth, as well as crafts and educational activities designed to engage attendees, thereby creating a two-way cultural exchange between the embassy staff and the participating families. This past year, booth activities included trying on traditional Indonesian
dress, stamping Kente cloth (Ghana), folding origami
(Japan), writing your name in hieroglyphics (Egypt), creating Carnival masks (Brazil), exploring Mexican
children's toys and many more. Cultural representatives and embassy staff from each country are present to answer questions and interact with attendees. Through this interactive model, the festival enables mutual understanding and engages the community in becoming global citizens.
, Australia
, Bahamas, Bahrain
, Brazil
, China
, El Salvador
, Fiji
, France
, Ghana
, Greece
, Hungary
, Indonesia
, Israel
, Japan
, Liechtenstein
, Mexico
, Senegal
, South Africa
, Switzerland
, Turkey
, Zambia
, as well as representation from the United Nations
.
of which is the International Classroom, currently in its 19th year of bringing the world into District of Columbia Public School classrooms. The International Classroom trains volunteers from the international community to present interactive lessons on their home country to students in grades 2-12. Presentations are organized by Meridian in response to a high demand from DC public school teachers, and Meridian staff works closely with volunteers to ensure that presentations are tailored to each audience based on grade level. In the 2007-2008 school year, International Classroom worked with over 100 volunteers from 50 countries and reached over 2,500 students.
, Passports to the World, for DC teachers each Fall on how to internationalize their curricula while meeting current Standards of Learning
. These workshops help teachers discover new methods of incorporating international education
across the curricula. Over the course of six afternoons, teachers will travel to five different continents, exploring themes, ideas, and techniques to use in the classroom. Working in cooperation with Peace Corps
: World Wise Schools and the National Geographic Society
Education Foundation, teachers also earn credits toward recertification.
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
, dress
Dress
A dress is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice or with a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment.Dress may also refer to:*Clothing in general*Costume, fancy dress...
, and traditions through exciting displays and unique hands-on activities. Families together learn about world geography and the importance of global citizenship. In addition to embassy-sponsored booths, the festival offers a variety of international dance and music performances, as well as the opportunity to sample international cuisine
Cuisine
Cuisine is a characteristic style of cooking practices and traditions, often associated with a specific culture. Cuisines are often named after the geographic areas or regions that they originate from...
. In 2009, Michelle Fenty, wife of DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, supported the festival by serving as Honorary Patron of the event.
When
The next festival will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, followed by the Kids World Cinema from 4:00-5:30pm.Where: Meridian International Center
For almost 50 years, Meridian International Center has been the nation’s premier non-profit institution dedicated to advancing international understanding through public diplomacyPublic diplomacy
In international relations, public diplomacy or people's diplomacy, broadly speaking, is the communication with foreign publics to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence. There is no one definition of Public Diplomacy, and may be easier described than easily defined as definitions...
and global engagement. The International Children’s Festival is located in Meridian’s historic mansions- examples of residential jewels of renowned architect John Russell Pope
John Russell Pope
John Russell Pope was an architect most known for his designs of the National Archives and Records Administration building , the Jefferson Memorial and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.-Biography:Pope was born in New York in 1874, the son of a successful...
, who designed the Jefferson Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father and the third President of the United States....
, the National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden is a national art museum, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, in Washington, DC...
(West Building), and the National Archives. The houses are adjacent to each other and surrounded by beautiful gardens, forming a city block of supreme historic and architectural interest. For directions, please see Meridian's website.
Admission
Admission is $10 per person, with a group rate for 4+ people. Special rates apply for all District of Columbia students and teachers.Description
Embassies host booths at the Festival, and embassy partners put their full energy and resources behind this project, as the Festival is seen as a valuable opportunity to encourage knowledge and understanding of their country. Each booth focuses on stimulating the five senses and allowing children to experience another cultureCulture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
. Toward this goal, embassies bring artifacts, displays, and activities to inspire students to learn about their country and culture. Food and drink samples are present at each booth, as well as crafts and educational activities designed to engage attendees, thereby creating a two-way cultural exchange between the embassy staff and the participating families. This past year, booth activities included trying on traditional Indonesian
Culture of Indonesia
Indonesian culture has been shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences. Indonesia is central along ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East, resulting in many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of...
dress, stamping Kente cloth (Ghana), folding origami
Origami
is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century AD at the latest and was popularized outside Japan in the mid-1900s. It has since then evolved into a modern art form...
(Japan), writing your name in hieroglyphics (Egypt), creating Carnival masks (Brazil), exploring Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
children's toys and many more. Cultural representatives and embassy staff from each country are present to answer questions and interact with attendees. Through this interactive model, the festival enables mutual understanding and engages the community in becoming global citizens.
Participating Embassies 2010
ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Bahamas, Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, as well as representation from the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Performances
In addition to the interactive booths sponsored by embassies, the Festival exhibits stunning dance performances from local and international artists. These performances showcase unique and vibrant cultural styles from around the world, while demonstrating the common factor that we all share in music and celebration.Performances for 2010
- SteppingSteppingStepping may refer to:* Walking, one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals* Stepping, Sønderjylland- Computing :* Stepping level, an aspect of microprocessor version designation* Stepping , a method of debugging- Dance :...
Africa Geography Dance, USA- Paul Public Charter School, DC - Maculele & CapoeiraCapoeiraCapoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...
Martial Arts Dance, Brazil- ABADA-CAPOEIRA - Traditional Dance, Argentina- Escuela Argentina, DC
- Irish DanceIrish danceIrish dancing or Irish dance is a group of traditional dance forms originating in Ireland which can broadly be divided into social dance and performance dances. Irish social dances can be divided further into céilí and set dancing...
, Ireland- The O'Neill-James School of Irish Dance - Belly DanceBelly danceBelly dance or Bellydance is a "Western"-coined name for a traditional "Middle Eastern" dance, especially raqs sharqi . It is sometimes also called Middle Eastern dance or Arabic dance in the West, or by the Greco-Turkish term çiftetelli...
, Middle Eastern Dance- Joy of Motion - African Drumming, Africa- Kofi Dennis
- Chaynanm Haitian Percussion Band
- A.H. Dance Company
- Raqs Jameel Bellydancing
- Nomad Dancers
- Halau O'Aulani Hula Dancing
- Balaji Music Academy Indian Dance
- Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe
- Washington DC Turkish Folkdance Troupe
International Classroom
The International Children’s Festival is a part of Meridian’s year-round educational outreach initiatives — the flagshipFlagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of which is the International Classroom, currently in its 19th year of bringing the world into District of Columbia Public School classrooms. The International Classroom trains volunteers from the international community to present interactive lessons on their home country to students in grades 2-12. Presentations are organized by Meridian in response to a high demand from DC public school teachers, and Meridian staff works closely with volunteers to ensure that presentations are tailored to each audience based on grade level. In the 2007-2008 school year, International Classroom worked with over 100 volunteers from 50 countries and reached over 2,500 students.
International Resource Library
International Classroom also offers teachers other resources to help them include more international education in their curricula. Meridian’s 50+ Culture Boxes contain items from a specific country or region that teachers can use as hands-on learning tools to help students make a tangible connection to other parts of the world.Teacher Workshops
International Classroom also offers a professional development workshopWorkshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
, Passports to the World, for DC teachers each Fall on how to internationalize their curricula while meeting current Standards of Learning
Standards of Learning
Standards of Learning ' is a public school standardized testing program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It sets forth learning and achievement expectations for core subjects for grades K-12 in Virginia's Public Schools...
. These workshops help teachers discover new methods of incorporating international education
International education
International education can mean many different things and its definition is debated. Some have defined two general meanings according to its involvement of students...
across the curricula. Over the course of six afternoons, teachers will travel to five different continents, exploring themes, ideas, and techniques to use in the classroom. Working in cooperation with Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
: World Wise Schools and the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
Education Foundation, teachers also earn credits toward recertification.