It was a feast of colour and custom at LYIT Hanami event today, students and staff welcomed Japanese people living in the Donegal community to LYIT, with a host of great events taking place on campus.
Origami lessons, Japanese language classes and animation shows where complimented with karaoke and an authentic Japanese tea ceremony.
Denise Doherty pictured at the fitting of a Japanese Kumono, which were provided by the Japanese Embassy in Dublin to assist with the Hanami event in Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
Large numbers of students and staff participated in the event and the day’s activities commenced with the ceremonial planting of a cherry blossom tree on campus which was then adorned with Japanese lanterns. Sodexo, LYIT on campus caterers, prepared ‘bento boxes’ filled with tasty Japanese food for staff and students to sample.
The event was organised by Paddy Gallagher, Sports Officer, Fiona Kelly, Student Union Administrator, Catherine Lyster, Careers Officer, LYIT SU Gardening Club and LYIT SU International Society with the assistance of the Student Union.
It is hoped to run many more cultural events on campus and that the Cherry Blossom tree, planted today, will act as a reminder of the first Hanami event at LYIT.
Pictured at the Hanami event, a Japanese themed day, in Letterkenny Institute of Technology are Fiona Kelly, SU Administrator and event organiser, Denise Doherty, Roseann McGinley, Riadh Egan, at the back are Jason McClean, Adrian Murrin, Mark Sweeney, John McClean, Jack Pearson. The programme of events included a tree planting ceremony, A Japanese Tea Ceremony, Cultural talks from the Japanese/Irish guests, Orogami and a series of fun events such as Karaoke and Sumo Wrestling within the safe confines of an inflatable platform.
