2007.07.19

【NEW】International Students Participated in Gion Festival

On July 17, nine international students from the Doshisha University Center for Japanese Language and Culture participated in the parade of Yamahoko floats of Gion Festival, which is one of the three major festivals in Kyoto. The students pulled the “Minami Kannon Yama” float, which has an important role of bringing up the rear of the line of floats every year. This is the fourth year for International Center and Center for Japanese Language and Culture to gather international students to participate in pulling of the float, which has had volunteer pullers for ten years. This year we also had three alumni who were fascinated by the Gion Festival and traveled all the way to Japan for the big day.
Unlike last year the weather was slightly cloudy - a perfect day for the festival. The participants were all excited about their experience, saying “It was really amazing to be able to experience the tradition and culture in Kyoto and Japan” and “I was lucky to take part in such a traditional Japanese event during my study aboard, I will treasure the memory for the rest of my life”.