Why Italy?
As “Primavera Italiana-Italiana in Giappone”, hosted by the Embassy of Italy, was the topic of a conversation between H.E. Mr. Mario BOVA, the Ambassador of Italy and President Shirai, the International Community Center immediately took the opportunity to organize “La Festa Italiana” to allow Waseda students to rediscover the beauty and power of
Italy.

Preliminary Work
More than 20 events were proposed during the initial planning period by ICC staff and supporters. As a 2-week project, rich in content and overall quality, 14 events were planned with the support from many Italian establishments recommended by the Embassy of Italy, such as ENIT- Italian State Tourist Board and Alitalia. Refining and finalizing the events involved close collaboration with the sponsors, who gave us a lot of helpful advice. Making and circulating posters, publishing webpages, confirming schedules with guest speakers, our staff and supporters found fulfillment in seeing these events grow step by step.

Unexpected Postponement...
The University issued a 1-week school closure to prevent the spread of measles on campus. Bearing the heavy blow, ICC staff immediately contacted the sponsors and guest speakers to re-schedule each event’s date. It was a great relief to us that all of them were able to adjust their schedules and attend after the 2-week delay.

The long-awaited opening of La Festa Italiana
The festa kicked off with the Evening Theater of “Nuovo cinema Paradiso”. Events such as “Italian Espresso” and “Italian Fashion World” were so popular that there was no room for standing in the ICC. During the course of la Festa Italiana, there were approximately 500 participants, among whom many were fans of Italy who rushed to the ICC everyday after school.

Afterward
La Festa Italiana stretched across the topics of world heritage, tourism, cooking, wine, coffee, canzone, fashion, language, film, and collaborated robot research to create a diverse range of viewpoints that allowed participants to come into contact with the multi-facet Italy. It has without a doubt been a valuable opportunity for Waseda students to get the gist of real Italy and opened doors for them to go
further into this amazing country.