Language festival chock-full of enrichment

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, March 28, 2011

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At each stop, students had their passports stamped at the FCPS World Language Festival, where the theme was "Explore the World ... Discover Your Future."

At each stop, students had their passports stamped at the FCPS World Language Festival, where the theme was "Explore the World ... Discover Your Future."

At each stop, students had their passports stamped at the FCPS World Language Festival, where the theme was "Explore the World ... Discover Your Future."Demonstrating a Filipino dance ...Making Mardi Gras masks ...In a new offering this year, elementary students in the district's Spanish and Chinese programs performed through a three-hour block.The Japanese tea ceremony was also a new addition to the festival.Making paper flowers ...Practicing Chinese painting ...Trying on Chinese dresses ...Learning to salsa ...Checking out exhibits in the library ...Weaving a "God's eye" ...

Dog-eared passports indicated students enjoyed a full day of travel around the FCPS Regional World Language Festival.

After facing judges in the language and culture proficiency assessments, they moved on to explore dozens of non-competitive exhibitions, demonstrations and hands-on workshops at host Bryan Station High School. At each stop, the leaders stamped the students’ passports for credit.

Around the building, some wove a “God’s eye” with yarn (Mexico), tried on authentic clothing (China) and observed native dances (Germany), while others tackled calligraphy (Japan) and sampled music from around the world.

“I’m looking forward to the Latin dance because one of my favorite teachers is leading it,” said freshman Bryanna Staed, a Spanish I student at Bryan Station, who hurriedly decorated a Mardi Gras mask.

Among new offerings this year were musical performances by elementary students in the district’s Spanish and Chinese programs, as well as a Japanese tea ceremony.

The tea ceremony originated as a meditation before battles or in temples. The focus is still on the four ideals of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.

From a packed room, four students volunteered to participate – removing their shoes and kneeling on the mat. The matcha they tasted was about 10 times stronger than regular green tea. Unlike typical steeped tea, matcha is powdered from the whole leaf, so it is much thicker, too.

“It is really bitter, but it’s very healthy,” said Lena Masterson of the University of Kentucky’s Office of International Affairs.

The ceremony included ritual purification of elements such as the pottery bowl. Students also learned that since the host is proud of one particular spot on his decorated bowl, guests respectfully turn it and drink from the other side.

“The ceremony was really cool and relaxing,” said Cody Putman, a junior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. “I knew this existed but not exactly what went on.”

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