International perspectives celebrated in Nanaimo at WorldVIU Days

Cultures from around the world came together to share food, fashions and traditions at Vancouver Island University last week for WorldVIU Days.

The annual celebrationraises awareness and builds appreciation for the culture diversity on campus and recognizes the diversity that international perspectives bring to the campus and the community. This year’s WorldVIU Days featured five days of events, crafts, workshops and live music performances.

On Thursday, Nov. 3, there was a focus on Japanese culture, which featured a lunchtime performance in the Nanaimo campus main cafeteria by Uminari Taiko, a taiko drumming ensemble based in Victoria. The performance was immediately followed by a drumming workshop for students, staff and visitors attending the on-campus celebrations.

chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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Culture Diversity Post-secondary Education VIU

Susan Kurushima learned taiko drumming basics in the ensemble's early days from a teacher who taught using garbage can and sewer pipe drums.
(Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)

Positions of drums and drummers are rearranged for almost every song performed.
(Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)

Tsugio Kurushima leads a post performance drumming taiko drumming workshop for audience members in the VIU Nanaimo campus main cafeteria.
(Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)

Tsugio Kurushima leads the Uminari Taiko drummers through an opening song at a lunchtime performance for WorldVIU Days at Vancouver Island University on Thursday, Nov. 3. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)