Ukrainians Learn from Indiana Farmers

A Purdue Extension educator in Fulton County has made it possible for two graduate students from Ukraine to stay with Indiana farmers to work and learn this summer, reports the Purdue News Bureau.

Mark Kepler came up with the work-study idea after he visited the Poltava State Agrarian Academy in Ukraine three years ago.

Kepler last winter found two farmers in Fulton County interested in hiring students from Poltava to work on their farms this summer. The farms are family operations with more than 1,000 acres and exemplify farming life in Indiana.

Two graduate students - Ol'Ha Reva and Sergii Panchenk - arrived in Indiana in May to begin their work.

As part of the program, Reva came to Purdue University for three days in August to learn more about DNA extraction in plants. Working in a laboratory for the first time, she studied plants and genotypes with agronomy professor Herb Ohm. (The photo shows Reva working with Dr. Ohm. It's a Purdue Agricultural Communication photo by Tom Campbell.)

After finishing her studies in the lab, Reva returned to Rochester to continue working on the farm with her host family, Tom and Jill Weaver.

Panchenk is staying with Alan and Nancy Gohn in Rochester, working in the fields and helping around the farm. Both Ukrainians will fly back to Poltava in September.

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IU Professor Heads to South Africa

The U.S. State Department and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have selected an Indiana University professor for a Fulbright Specialists project in South Africa, reports the IU News Bureau.

Victor M.H. Borden (pictured), professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the Indiana University School of Education, Bloomington, will conduct a program at the University of KwaZulu Natal in September. Borden will deliver the keynote address at the university's fourth annual teaching and learning conference and then deliver a series of workshops and seminars to develop capacity amongst academics to plan, implement, evaluate and improve projects and programs that enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning and promote student success.

Borden leaves in mid-September for South Africa. His work concludes in the first week of October.

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A Weekend with Antonio Rocha

Antonio Rocha, a native of Brazil, comes to Indianapolis for two performances in the Basile Theater at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis.

The first, "Jungle Tales" is 7 p.m. 21 January. Rocha draws from his repertoire of animal tales with an ecological theme and a myriad of fantastic sound effects. Tickets are $5 for children 5-12, and $10 for adults. The second, "Brazilian Extravaganza", is 7:30 p.m. 22 January. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

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Japanese Students Learn About U.S. Culture

When 29 college students from Tokyo, Japan, stepped off a plane in Indianapolis recently, they were embarking on a unique journey of discovery.

To be sure, the students from Tsuda College will perfect their English skills in this custom language immersion program developed by the Indiana Center for Intercultural Communication (ICIC), a language and cultural training center that is part of the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

But discovering more about American culture - and perhaps even a bit more about themselves—will also be an important part of the curriculum.

The Women in Leadership Intensive Summer Program, now in its sixteenth year at IUPUI, is designed to show young women from the all-female college in Japan what it takes to be a leader in the United States, and across cultures.

Prominent female leaders from Indianapolis speak to the students about their journey into leadership roles in the corporate and not-for-profit community.

As part of the program, the students are required to synthesize what they learn from guest speakers and other research and develop a portfolio, presenting what they have learned to the class.

Students live with local families during their month-long stay in Indianapolis. They also have opportunities to participate in a number of cultural activities, including attending an Indiana Fever women’s professional basketball game, visiting the Eiteljorg Museum and the Indiana State Fair. They also took an overnight trip to Chicago.

ICIC develops language and intercultural training programs for many different types of academic and professional groups.

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Purdue's Global 4-H

Indiana 4-H Global Programs sent two groups of students to Poland and Japan, while students from Japan visited Indiana.

The program has held a partnership with Meiji Gakuin High School in Tokyo, Japan for nearly 30 years. Ann Williams, an extension educator for DeKalb County, and Tiffany Henson, a 4-H'er from Dearborn County, left for Japan on 15 July for a three-week stay.

Williams and Henson are learning about the Japanese education system and culture. Williams is living with a high school teacher, and Henson is staying in a high school student’s home.

While Williams and Henson tour Japan, 21 students from Japan are visiting Indiana to learn about culture and 4-H programs during their 3-week visit to 19 counties. The Japanese youth arrived on 21 July and are staying in the homes of 4-H families.

Global 4-H Programming also has maintained a six-year partnership with part of southern Poland. This summer, three adult representatives and 13 Indiana 4-H youth visited Poland for three weeks. The group learned about the 4-H system in Poland, lived with Polish families and toured cultural sites and cities.

To date, 58 people from Indiana have visited Poland through this program. Next year students from Poland will visit Indiana.

For more information on Global 4-H programs, email Lee Stanish.

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International Conference on Cloud Computing in Indy

The second IEEE International Conference on Cloud Computing Technology and Science will be held 30 November through 3 December in the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. It is hosted by the Pervasive Technology Institute at Indiana University.

The mission of Pervasive Technology Institute is to improve quality of life in Indiana and the world by inventing, developing, deploying and delivering innovations in information technology.

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Native American Heritage Days in Indy

Native American Heritage Days are 28 and 29 August 2010 in Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive, Indianapolis.

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Arjia Rinpoche Talks About His Book

Arjia Rinpoche, director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, will talk about the turbulent years he spent in Tibet during the Cultural Revolution during a presentation beginning at 1:30 p.m. 28 August in Border's Book Store, 8675 Rivercrossing Boulevard, Indianapolis.

Rinpoche, who spent 16 years in a forced labor camp, is the author of Surviving the Dragon: A Tibetan Lama's Account of 40 Years of Chinese Rule (Rodale Press, 2010).

This event is free and open to the public. More information available by email or call 317:816-0119.

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The American way: tolerance for diversity

The American way: tolerance for diversity

Posted: August 22, 2010
The Indianapolis Star
Letter to the Editor

The rancor over a building project in lower Manhattan is troubling on many levels. It seems nonsensical that the Cordoba House, which has met all city requirements and has received all necessary permits, should be prevented from building on property it has owned for years. There's nothing sacred about a former Burlington Coat Factory.

Sure, the project will be a Muslim community center, and it's a couple of blocks from the World Trade Center, largest of the Sept. 11 attack sites. However, the United States is not at war with Islam.

Al-Qaida masterminded the 9/11 attacks, not Cordoba House. A mosque is just part of a planned community center. In any case, what's wrong with organized prayer at that location?

We in the Nationalities Council of Indiana know that our state is a better place because of "the sheer creative energy that comes when you mix all our diverse people and cultures together," as Thomas L. Friedman noted in The New York Times recently.

Indy's International Festival each fall highlights the fact that Indianapolis is composed of many different ethnic groups, some of which include Muslims.

Tolerance is an American value, right up there with freedom of religion and freedom of speech. It's part of the American way of life that has attracted immigrants for centuries.

Susan McKee
Past president
Nationalities Council of Indiana
Past president, International
Center of Indianapolis


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"Nior bhris focal maith fiacal riamh"*

Irish storyteller Niall de Burca comes to the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, for two performances.

The first, "Takes for the Telling", is 7 p.m. 3 December 2010. Tickets are $5 for children 5-12 and $10 for adults. The second, "Ancestor Tales: The Old Stories of Ireland", is 7:30 p.m. 4 December. Tickets in advance are $20, and $25 at the door.

Raised in the west coast of Ireland, de Burca now lives in the capital of Dublin. He is a tradition-bearer at ease in both Gaelic and English, telling the old stories with charm.

*"A good word never broke a tooth."

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Tokihiro Sato to speak at IU Bloomington

Tokihiro Sato, one of Japan's best-known artists working in contemporary photography, will deliver an artist lecture at Indiana University Bloomington at 5 p.m. 3 September in Room 102 of the Fine Arts Building on campus. room 102.

The visit is co-sponsored by IU's Center for Integrative Photographic Studies, the College Arts & Humanities Institute and the School of Fine Arts.

In Sato's ongoing photo respiration series, tiny points of light or illuminated lines from a flashlight or mirror record his movements through space. The resulting photographs capture exquisitely detailed scenes punctuated by pinpoints or linear patterns of light that depict the artist's presence, but not his image.

At IU, Sato will discuss his new work, featuring images of a peach tree in the forest surrounded by light. The lecture is free and open to the public.

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Pasquotto and Yoder Promoted at Cummins Inc.

Columbus-based Cummins Inc. has announced that Luis Pasquotto has been named Vice President – Cummins Latin America, Engine Business. With the promotion, Pasquotto, who has been with Cummins since 1992, also will become a Cummins corporate officer.

Pasquotto, 51 and a native of Brazil, has held leadership positions within the Cummins Engine Business Unit (EBU) in Brazil for the past several years. He currently serves as General Manager of Cummins EBU Brazil, a position he has held since July 2008. Prior to taking that role, Pasquotto served as Director – Marketing for the EBU in Brazil from 2000-2008.

In his new role, Pasquotto will oversee the EBU’s business across Latin America. He also will lead Cummins’ overall business in the region as Chair of the Company’s Latin America Leadership Council.

Cummins Inc. has also announced that it has promoted Lisa Yoder to the newly created position of Vice President – Global Supply Chain. In her new role, Yoder will report to Cummins President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Linebarger and become a corporate officer.

Yoder joined Cummins in 1987 as a manufacturing engineer and has served as Executive Director – Supply Chain and Operations for Cummins Power Generation since November 2007. Yoder now assumes responsibility for management of Cummins’ worldwide supply chain across all business segments.

Cummins is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5,200 dealer locations. The Company reported net income attributable to Cummins Inc. of $428 million on sales of $10.8 billion in 2009.

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Finnish Company Expands in New Castle

Outokumpu, based in Espoo, Finland, has upgraded its North American quarto plate facility in New Castle. The investment of more than €45 million will allow the mill to improve production efficiencies to better compete in the global stainless steel market.

The Indiana mill is the only Outokumpu location in North America producing specialised stainless steel plate recognized for its high resistance to corrosion.

Outokumpu is the market leader in stainless steel quarto plate with a global market share of some 20%. Thick and wide individually rolled quarto plates are used in the energy sector, in extracting salt from seawater and transporting chemicals and are widely employed in the process industries for manufacturing pressure cylinders, tanks, thick-walled tubes, bridge structures and process equipment.

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Chinese Environmental Group to Visit Indiana

Members of the China Environment Forum will be in northwest Indiana tomorrow (17 August), reports Inside INdiana Business. They will discuss initiatives to highlight environmental improvements in the region. The information gathered is expected to help the delegation deal with severe water pollution in China's Lake Tai.

The Northwest Indiana Forum and Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission in cooperation with the Indiana Wildlife Federation are hosting the gathering, which includes a Lake Michigan shoreline boat tour and afternoon environmental discussion.

China Environment Forum Background: In 2009 the Japan Foundation’s Center for Global Partnership awarded China Environment Forum (CEF) at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Washington, DC) and its partners—the Institute of Developing Economies (Japan) and the Center for Environmental Management and Policy at Nanjing University (China)—a grant to support a project that aims to build an American, Japanese and Chinese business, non-governmental units, research and government coalition to jointly explore multi-stakeholder strategies to address pollution problems in Lake Tai (China).

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Fair's exhibit about Japan is a hit

So says The Indianapolis Star in a feature by Tom Spalding in Friday's edition.
You can read it here, until it disappears behind the paper's pay wall.

It notes that the Indiana State Fair intends to recognize a foreign partner annually.

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Traditional Japanese Foods at Indiana State Fair

The “Bridges to Japan” exhibit gives Indiana State Fair visitors a taste of some traditional daily dishes through a partnership of three Japanese eateries. The exhibition (open during the fair, 6-22 August) is devoted to the in-depth exploration of Japan and its connections with Indiana.

The Japanese food corner “Nihon Shokudo,” is a special area offering a variety of Japanese dishes, including Japanese pork cutlets, Japanese fried noodles, green tea ice cream, and sushi (including a new “deep-fried sushi” specialty).

“The team of Ocean World Restaurant (86th Street and Ditch Road), Sakura Restaurant (71st Street and Keystone Avenue), and One World Market (Castleton) have really gone beyond themselves to create the Japanese food corner, pulling in manpower from as far as Chicago and New York to staff what amounts to a major endeavor in serving Japanese food to thousands of fairgoers. Shoji Sato, Rocky Iwamoto and Shigenori Ito have been working for half a year to prepare a food corner in a building with less than ideal restaurant logistics, and I have to say, the ‘Nihon Shokudo’ food corner is serving some of the best Japanese food in Indy,” said Theresa Kulczak, executive director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana (a member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana).

Stan Suzuki, president of Indiana Packers Corporation in Delphi, which produces the “Indiana Kitchen” brand of pork products, has generously donated all of the pork served in the “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition. The ‘Katsu Curry’ dish features Kikkoman Corporation’s delicious new curry sauce. The Marukome company has donated miso soup to the Japanese food area.

Items on the menu in the “Bridges to Japan” food corner include:

* Kushi Katsu – Lightly “Panko” breaded pork kebabs. Also contains small green peppers with an optional lightly-flavored miso sauce.
* Katsu Curry – A very popular dish in Japan made by placing a lightly “panko” breaded pork cutlet on top of white rice, and covering it with curry sauce. Kikkoman Corporation has provided its newly- developed curry sauce for this delicious dish
* Deep-Fried Sushi – Shrimp tempura sushi rolls with a light curry seasoning. Deep fried and topped with spicy mayonnaise.
* Gyudon – Finely sliced paper-thin beef and onions on top of white rice.
* Yakisoba – A staple dish at festivals in Japan, yakisoba is made by grilling soba noodles, carrots, cabbage, and onions in a savory yakisoba sauce.
* Kakiage – Deep fried shrimp and vegetable tempura on udon noodles.
* Yakitori – Chicken kebabs grilled in a tasty yakitori sauce.
* Gyoza – Japanese style vegetable dumplings
* Miso Soup – A traditional soup consisting of a stock called “dashi” mixed in with softened miso paste.
* Edamame – Boiled soy beans seasoned with salt. A popular finger food in Japan.

For daily schedule of activities at the "Bridges to Japan", go online.

即日発表

伝統的な日本食を“日本への架け橋展”で

インディアナポリス　－　インディアナ・ステート・フェアで目新しく開催されている“日本への架け橋展”にて、訪問者は日本食（材）専門店3店の協力による日本の伝統的な日常の食事を楽しむことができる。“日本への架け橋展”は日本について、また日本とインディアナの関係について、楽しみながら日本文化を体験することを通して、深く知ることができるようになっている。“日本への架け橋展”では日本からのロボット、アニメや漫画の視聴エリア、伝統的な日本の畳の部屋、赤橋や、イングルダウ・グループ、リッチフィールド・ランドスケーピング、佐藤琢也先生によって製作された美しい日本庭園など、伝統的な日本、近代的な日本の両方を楽しむことができる。

日本食コーナー、“日本しょくどう”では様々な日本食を大変手ごろな値段で提供している。地元の人気レストラン、オーシャン・ワールド、櫻花レストラン、またワン・ワールド・マーケットによりフード・コーナーで販売されている物にはとんかつ（インディアナ州デルファイ市に在るインディアナ・パッカーズ・コーポレーションの提供により最高級の豚肉が使用されている）、焼きそば、抹茶アイスクリーム、寿司（新作“ディープ・フライド・スシ”）がある。

インディアナ日米協会専務理事、テレサ・コザック氏は「オーシャン・ワールド・レストラン（在86th StreetとDitch Road交差路）、櫻花レストラン（在71st StreetとKeystone Ave.交差路）、そしてワン・ワールド・マーケット（在キャッスルトン）の3店が総力を上げ、シカゴやニュー・ヨークからスタッフを動員、フェアの訪問者に日本食を提供し、日本食コーナーを盛り上げている。佐藤章二店長、岩本典久店長、伊東重徳店長の3名が建物の隅で理想的とは言えないロジスティクスの中、準備に半年をかけ、インディアナでも有数のおいしい日本食を提供している。」と語った。

“日本への架け橋展”で出される豚肉は全て“インディアナ・キッチン”の名で豚肉製品を製造する、インディアナ州デルファイ市にあるインディアナ・パッカーズ・コーポレーション（鈴木慎一郎会長兼CEO）の寛容な提供による。「鈴木氏によるとご提供された豚肉は最高級品で、串カツは大変おいしく柔らかく、文字通り、串から離れ口の中でとろけるようだ。今年度インディアナ・ステート・フェアのテーマ食材は豚肉であり、ここ、日本特別展で最高級の豚肉を使用したメニューが楽しめることは素晴らしい。」とコルザック氏は述べた。

“カツ・カレー”はキッコーマン・コーポレーションの美味なカレー・ソースと共に食べることができる。キッコーマンのカレー・ソースは缶詰ですぐ使うことができ、忙しいご家庭にはぴったりで、日本食材スーパーで購入することができる。

日本食コーナーで食べられる味噌汁はマルコメの寛容な提供による。

カルザック氏は「“日本しょくどう”のメニューに5ドル以上のものはなく、全て大変手ごろな価格となっている。日本しょくどうで購入できる日本食はインディアナ・ステート・フェア内で購入できる食品の中でも特に安価な部類に入ると確信している。」と語った。

“日本への架け橋展”のフード・コーナーのメニューは以下の通り：

* 串カツ
* カツ・カレー
* ディープ・フライド・スシ
* 牛丼
* 掻き揚げうどん
* 焼き鳥
* ギョウザ
* 味噌汁
* 枝豆


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Japan at the Indiana State Fair 2010

"Bridges to Japan" at the Indiana State Fair (photo courtesy of Chiaki Yoshida)

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Crossing Boundaries through Research

The 10th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement will be held 28-30 October in the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Union Station in Indianapolis.

"International Perspectives: Crossing Boundaries through Research" is sponsored by the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis' Center for Service and Learning, Indiana Campus Compact, and the International Association for Research on Service-learning and Community Engagement.

Service-learning is valued as an active learning strategy across the globe; however, little is known about the ways that service-learning is similar or different in varied contexts. Understanding service-learning and community engagement from diverse cultural perspectives will add insight necessary for comparative research and to improve practice.

For more information, go online.

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The Delectable Bridge to Japan

Discover, taste, and learn about Japanese green tea, savory snacks, sweet delicacies and more at a series of tastings and demonstrations held in conjunction with the “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis.

Although the first set of demos was today (8 August), there are more at 2:30 and 4 p.m. tomorrow (9 August). They're conducted by the chef of the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan at Chicago!

It's presented by the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan-America Society of Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana State Fair and Indiana Restaurant Association.

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Visit Japan at the Indiana State Fair!

The new “Bridges to Japan” exhibit will show Indiana State Fair visitors what Japanese culture is all about, as well as the many connections between Indiana and Japan.

This year, in what is expected to be an annual international exhibition, the 154th Indiana State Fair will showcase Indiana’s relationship with one of its closest partners, the nation of Japan. The International Pavilion/Grand Hall, an 8,000 square foot building located on the Fair’s Main Street, is devoted to the in-depth exploration of Japan and its connections with Indiana.

The exhibit honors the fair’s goal of being a platform for education and showing visitors the strong ties between Indiana and Japan and in particular, Indiana’s Japanese “sister state” Tochigi Prefecture.

The “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition, organized by the Japan-America Society of Indiana (a member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana), the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (State of Indiana), and the Indiana State Fair, through the generous support of many companies and organizations, will appeal to a broad range of visitors who will visit the State Fair for two and a half weeks, from 6-22 August. “Bridges to Japan” will feature traditional and contemporary components, a variety of performances and activities, and displays on the relationships between Indiana and Japan, such as the importance of the Japanese manufacturing presence, sister cities, educational exchanges, and the history of the Japanese in Indiana.

The exhibit features traditional Japanese customs such as tea ceremonies, Japanese calligraphy, sumo wrestling, and a myriad of music and dance performances. In addition, representatives from Tochigi Prefecture and guests from the Japanese sister cities of Carmel (Kawachinagano), Lafayette (Ota City), and Shelbyville (Shizuoka City) will lead numerous cultural activities.

Once inside “Bridges to Japan” guests will pass through a bamboo grove and garden, created by the Engledow Group and Litchfield Landscaping, with advisory support from Dr. Takuya Sato, or cross over a koi pond on a traditional Japanese bridge. Japanese architectural styles will be readily apparent with a traditional inn featuring tatami (pron. tuh-tommy) mats and a Japanese stage, designed by Takenaka Corporation and constructed by nationally-recognized McGuire Scenic. An area devoted to contemporary Japan will help visitors delight in the fun of Japanese pop culture. Some of the programs and demonstrations scheduled for the stage include:

* Masaji Terasawa (pron. muh-sah-jee terra-sow-uh), the popular Candy man who makes intricate candy sculptures and entertains audiences of all ages
* Martial arts demonstrations
* A gourd painter craftsman from Japan (opening weekend)
* Taiko (pron. ty-koh) – traditional Japanese drum performances
* Bunraku (pron. bun-rah-coo)– Japanese puppet theatre
* Sumo wrestlers from Japan (opening weekend)
* An open audience-participation fashion show featuring Japanese pop culture (Cosplay) and the comic Japanese band Peelander-Z

The exhibit also features daily appearances of the top-ranked Japanese robots, including Wakamaru (pron. wok-uh-mah-roo), a communication and performance robot, sponsored by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Climate Control, Indiana. The Japan External Trade Organization of Chicago has facilitated the appearance of “Paro-chan”, the therapeutic seal pup courtesy of Paro Robots U.S., and the special appearance of the “I-Fairy” Receptionist Robot, which recently made headlines when it conducted a wedding in Japan, courtesy of the Kokoro Company.

Other special “Bridges to Japan” features fairgoers won’t want to miss are:

* A Japanese food corner offering traditional fare including Japanese pork cutlets (made possible by through the generous support of Indiana Packers Corporation), Japanese noodles, green tea ice cream and sushi (including a new “deep-fried sushi” specialty) provided by popular local Japanese restaurants Ocean World, Sakura and One World Market.
* A large-scale replica of a Tochigi Inn where guests will be able to participate in hands-on activities while sitting on tatami mats.
* A display of the Shinkansen bullet train with the topography of Japan passing by at 200 mph

The “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition is sponsored by a host of corporate partners and organizations, including: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana; AISIN, Eli Lilly and Company, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Cummins, Delphi Corp., Duke Energy, Indiana Packers Corp., Kikkoman Corp., NTN Driveshaft, TOA (USA), Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, and the United States-Japan Foundation, among many others.

“Yoroshiku!” “We hope to see you there!”

The Indiana State Fair takes place tomorrow through 22 August at the State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis.

米国インディアナ州と日本の強固な繋がりを紹介
インディアナ･ステート･フェア「日本への架け橋展」

ロボット、日本食、錦鯉と日本庭園、相撲取りなど全てが「日本への架け橋展」に勢揃い



米国インディアナ州インディアナポリス－インディアナ・ステート・フェアにて、日本パビリオン「日本への掛け橋展」が設置され、インディアナ州と日本との多岐に渡る繋がりと共に、フェアの訪問者に日本の文化を紹介します。

「日本はインディアナ州にとって、長年に渡り、最も強力な経済及び文化パートナーです。インディアナ・ステート・フェアで州の国際関係を紹介する最初の国として、日本をご紹介することは当然です。」と、ミッチ・ダニエルス　(Mitch Daniels)　インディアナ州知事はコメントしています。ダニエルス州知事は、2005年から5回にわたって、アジア地域への経済開発の使節団を率いています。

第154回インディアナ・ステート･フェアでは、その長い歴史の中で初めて、インターナショナル・パビリオンの展示施設を利用し、インディアナと繋がりのある特定の国を掘り下げて探索する展示を行うこととなり、その最初の国として「日本国」が取り上げられます。インターナショナル・パビリオンは、フェアグラウンドの目抜き通りに位置し、約750平米の広さの建物です。

「インディアナ･ステート･フェアは州内最大のイベントで、今回この展示を紹介することができ、大変嬉しく思います。」と、ステートフェアの専務理事　シンディ・ホイ(Cindy Hoye)氏はコメントしています。「17日間のフェア期間中、素晴らしい展示の数々、食事、情報、デモンストレーションなどを通じて、日本がインディアナ州にとってどれだけ重要な国際パートナーであるかを、90万人を超えるお客様にご紹介いたします。」

展示は、フェア本来の目的である教育を視野に、インディアナ州と日本との強固な繋がり、特にインディアナ州の姉妹県である栃木県に焦点をあて、お客様にご紹介します。

「インディアナ州には米国内で唯一、3つの日系自動車メーカーの工場があり、220社以上の日系企業が43,000人以上の州民を雇用しています。日本は明らかに、当州の国際パートナーの最有力国といえます。ミッチ･ダニエルス　インディアナ州知事が、フェアでの国際テーマの最初の国として日本を指名してくださったことを、大変誇りに思います。フェアへの訪問者の数を鑑みても、今回の展示は、北米で今年最大級の参加者を要す日本関連のイベントになるでしょう。」と、インディアナ日米協会　専務理事テレサ・コザック(Theresa Kulczak)氏はコメントしています。

日本パビリオン「日本への掛け橋展」は、インディアナ日米協会、インディアナ経済開発公社(インディアナ州政府)およびインディアナ・ステート・フェア委員会により運営され、多数の企業や団体の支援を受け実現します。本展示会は、8月6日(金)～8月22日(日)の2週間半にわたり、インディアナ州と日本のパートナーシップがもたらす経済的なプラス効果や、姉妹都市、文化交流、インディアナ州内の日本人社会の歴史を、インターアクティブな展示で紹介する一方、日本の伝統から現代文化にいたるまでを、様々なデモンストレーションやパフォーマンスを通して紹介します。



日本の伝統文化としては、お茶会や、書道、相撲、数多くの音楽や舞踊のパフォーマンスが紹介されます。また、インディアナ州の姉妹県である栃木県からの代表者を始め、カーメル市(大阪府河内長野市)、ラフィエット
市(群馬県太田市)、シェルビービル市(静岡県静岡市)の代表者も、フェアでパフォーマンスなどを披露し、インディアナ州と日本との友好関係をアピールします。

「日本への架け橋展」の会場内では、竹林と日本庭園（佐藤琢也先生のアドバイスの元イングルダウ・グループとリッチフィールド・ランドスケーピングにより設置）の中の鯉池に架かる日本の伝統的な橋を渡ると、日本の伝統建築を再現した、体験アクティビティや各種デモンストレーションが行われる畳の部屋と、ステージ（竹中工務店によるデザイン）が設置されています。また、現代日本に焦点をあてたエリアでは、日本のポップカルチャーを紹介します。下記を代表とする多くのパフォーマンスやデモンストレーションを予定しています。

* マサジ・テラサワ氏による飴細工
* 各種武道のデモンストレーション
* 栃木県の伝統工芸　ふくべ細工(最初の週末)
* 栃木県相撲連盟による相撲　(最初の週末)
* 太鼓パフォーマンス
* 文楽
* 一般参加のコスプレ・コンテストと日本人コミック・バンド「Peelander-Z」によるライブ



また展示エリアでは、三菱重工業株式会社のコミュニケーションロボット「wakamaru (ワカマル)」、独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所が開発したアザラシ型メンタルロボット「パロ(PARO)」、株式会社ココロの新型案内ロボット「I-FAIRY(アイ-フェアリー)」、以上3点の日本の最先端ロボットをご紹介します。

その他、「日本への架け橋展」の見所をご紹介します。

* 日本の食文化を紹介するフードコーナー：地元で人気の日本食店が、蕎麦、串カツ、カツカレー、牛丼、寿司(揚げ寿司)などを提供します。
* 畳の部屋で、日本文化(書道、昔ながらの遊びなど)の体験型アクティビティ
* 日本の高速鉄道（新幹線）に関する展示
* 日本への旅の思い出を購入いただくお土産屋



「日本への架け橋展」は、トヨタ・モーター・マニュファクチャリング・インディアナ、アイシン、イーライ・リリー・カンパニー、ホンダ・マニュファクチャリング・オブ・インディアナ、スバル・オブ・インディアナ・オートモーティブ、カミンズ、デルファイ、デューク・エナジー、インディアナ・パッカーズ、キッコーマン、NTNドライブシャフト、TOA(USA)、トヨタ・インダストリアル・エクイップメント・マニュファクチャリング、米日財団をはじめとする、多くの企業パートナー、団体により協賛、ご支援いただいております。

インディアナ州と日本との関係についての更なる情報、また「日本への架け橋展」の詳細のスケジュールなどは、インディアナ日米協会のウェブサイト(www.japanindiana.org)をご参照ください。

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Why Is There a Nationalities Council of Indiana?

"America’s most important competitive advantage: the sheer creative energy that comes when you mix all our diverse people and cultures together."

(from Thomas L. Friedman's column in today's New York Times)

Join us at the International Festival (19-21 November) and see what we mean when we say, Welcome to the World in Indiana!

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Indy Mayor Announces Appointments

Carlos May has been named Director of Latino Affairs, and Jane Gehlhausen will serve as Director of International and Cultural Affairs for the city of Indianapolis.

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IU to Lead International Networks

The National Science Foundation is providing Indiana University with $9.2 million to lead two high-speed international network services, reports Inside INdiana Business. IU will receive $4.6 million to continue the TransPAC3 network connection to Asia and an additional $4.6 million for a new connection to Europe called ACE or America Connects to Europe.

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