Tanabata Festival in Astoria Queens on July 7th, 2007
On Saturday evening, the bar Hellgate Social in Astoria, opened its doors at 7pm to celebrate Tanabata. It is a Japanese Star Festival which celebrates the meeting of Orihime and Hikoboshi. The Milky Way, a river of stars across the sky separated these two lovers, where they are only allowed to meet once a year, on July 7th. This event was provided by the New York Japanese Student Association (NYJSA).
On the right hand of the entrance, @Tabit carefully prepared a booth where you could pick up information about Japan.
We also provided them with our Yokoso banner and brochures about Japan. Overall, the guests were Japanese students, but there were some Americans in the crowd as well. At the beginning of the event I assisted with folding "origami" for decoration to be hung on the bamboo tree. People can write their wish on colorful paper and hang it on the tree. By placing these wishes on the tree, one's wish will come true. It seemed to me to be a very warm and beautiful tradition. There were also a few women who wore Yukata, cotton kimonos worn in the summer.
Outside the bar, there was a little garden where NYSJA provided typical Japanese food at a booth. Additionally, we found an awesome decoration with colorful lights creating a very comfortable and nice atmosphere.
Actually the band should have started to play at 9pm, but unfortunately they didn't begin until 9:45pm, when we left the event. However, they looked quite professional. It was an awesome night to learn more about the Japanese culture and customs. Furthermore, it was a good possibility to attract people other than Japanese to this warmhearted country. Now, I and many others have a better understanding of this festival, Tanabata. T. Schindler JNTO's German Summer Intern Sponsored by CDS International - Pall Mall Foundation
