Peace as a World Language
 Visit
the Hunger Banquet and eat (or not eat) your way to a better understand-ing
of starvation and inequality in the world.
The Hunger Banquet is just one of the events that make up the Peace
as a World Language conference, which will be held in Kyoto September
24th through 26th. The aim of this annual confere-nce is to bring
together people to explore issues related to global studies and
peace.
Participants in the Hunger Banquet will each pay ¥1200 (or
¥600 if you are a student) to receive a mystery meal. Each diner's
dinner will be decided by lottery. You may receive a slap up meal,
or something very small or plain or nothing at all. The differences
in the quality and quantity of the meals will reflect the uneven
distribution of food (ie, wealth) in the world today, where a few
are over-nourished, many are barely nourished and many more are
malnourished or starved.
The organisers say that “participants will leave the conference
with a renewed understanding that many of the problems facing our
world today can be addressed through better understanding and education.
We hope that the conference will encourage people to become active
in some way toward the development of a more equitable and peaceful
society.”
The Hunger Banquet is only one of many events and activities in
the newly expanded three-day conference.
There will be presentations about the dangers of landmines and unexploded
ordinance, women as peacemakers, as well as several panel discussions
on issues ranging from education to human rights to the environ-ment
to gender and cultural diversity, and there will be more than 100
different workshops and poster presentations — topics range
from factory farming to problems facing Australian Aboriginals,
from conflict analysis to the effects of international tourism.
The conference will be at Kyoto Museum for World
Peace, Ritsumeikan University. http://www.eltcalendar.com/PGL2004/
Tearing Stripes —
Fuji better than ever!
Despite lots of controversy surrounding this year's
Fuji Rock Festival, the result was another great event —
die-hard fans had never doubted. The cancellation of headliner,
Morrissey, and the fact only three-day tickets were available this
year, did little to put a damper on this monster event and its 30,000-plus
crowd. In its 7th year there were new features such as a bridge
from the food stalls area to the entrance, and an outdoor cinema.
Of course top artists from around the world were
in attendance and all of them blew the crowd away with their energy
and technique. None, however, were able to touch the crisp and tight
performance of the dynamic duo known as The White Stripes. A highlight
of their set was a rendition of Seven Nation Army — a true
crowd pleaser.
Fuji rock continues to outstrip the competition.
Great vision and smooth management are the key to securing such
big acts and happy crowds — it's an event that is always sure
to thrill. Can't wait 'til next year.
The Fuji Rock Festival was held at Naeba Ski Resort
in Niigata from July 30th through August 1st.
www.fujirockfestival.com
Apple Store, Shinsaibashi
Osaka, following Tokyo, now has its own Apple
store. The store, which opened on August 28th, dedicates two floors
to Mac products and boasts a kids' section, a state-of-the art theater
offering free workshops, and unique design elements such as a glass
stair case. For the computer challenged among us, there will be
a Genius Bar where you can get advice and technical services. You
can find the store on the west side of Midosuji, just south of Shinsaibashi
station — see KS map on p46.
http://www.apple.com/retail/jp/shinsaibashi/index.html
If you know of any newsworthy events in the Kansai
or Japan, if you are about to dive naked into a vat of hungry piranhas
for a bet, be sure to let us know. mailbox@kansaiscene.com
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