Lincoln (Neb.) - Oct. 5, 2001 - A Japanese Bon Odori cultural festival, including an amateur sumo wrestling tournament, will be held Oct. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the plaza north of the Nebraska Union at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Events are free and open to the public.
The festival is sponsored by the UNL Japanese Language Program and the Global Friends of Japan, a student organization.
"Bon Odori" is a traditional dance and an important part of the ancient Japanese festival, Obon, which normally is celebrated in July to remember and honor the deceased.
In addition to the sumo wrestling tournament, the festival will introduce Japanese foods, games and dance. Participants will also be able to try their hands at Japanese traditional arts such as origami.
Funds collected by the wrestling tournament contestants will be
donated to aid victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City
and Washington, D.C. In the event of inclement weather, the festival will
be held at the Culture Center, 333 N. 14th St.
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons1@unl.edu
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825