Passport Program
Explore the different cultures of the countries represented at the 12th Annual Knox Asian Festival by participating in the Passport Program!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. Visit each country and get a stamp
2. Pick your favorite country booth
3. Take a photo with your favorite culture booth while holding up your passport
4. Post the photo on social media with the hashtag #knoxasianfesival
The first 3000 visitors will receive a paper passport booklet! Visit the Main Information Booth to claim your prize. Don’t forget to snap a photo with your completed passport and share it on social media with #KnoxAsianFestival. 📸✨
The Top 10 Photos Will Receive a FREE T-Shirt!

Japan
SUMO: We will welcome back Sumo Wrestlers from Japan!
Matsuriza Drummers from Disney World will perform in the Amphitheater. Please check the schedule for times.
The Japan Pavilion will have a Green Tea Ceremony with Tea House which UTK interior architecture department students made. (See Tea House Here). There will also be Shamisen (Japanese Banjo Music booth), Japanese Martial Arts groups, Kimono Try-on booth, Calligraphy booth, & Origami booth.
- Tea Ceremony
- Knoxville Kendo Club – kendo showcase, equipment, & demonstrations
- Traditional Music – Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Sakura Sakura on cardboard shamisen & Japanese Drums
- Watercolor Kanji with participants to raise money for the Japanese Club at Bearden High School
- The Japanese Animanga Research Society (aka JARS; the official Animanga club of the University of Tennessee Knoxville) – will be selling various items (manga, bento boxes, chopsticks, parasols, fans, etc)

China
Represented by: Knoxville Chinese Culture, UTK Chinese Program, UTK Chinese Student and Scholar Association, & Farragut Schools Youth Group
- Traditional Performances
- Chinese Calligraphy
- Chopstick Challenge
- Traditional Music, Games, Quizzes
- Language Instruction
- Wushu Workshop
- Custom Chinese Bookmarks
- Chinese Dance Workshop
- Kids Crafts: Send a Message to China
- Chinese Dress Photo Booth
- Lion/Dragon Dance by Wah Lum Kang Fu School

South Korea
- Calligraphy – we will write your name in Korean
- Selfie with Hanbok (Traditional Korean Dress)
- Tasting Korean Snacks
- Experince Korean Music Instrument
FAN DANCE: The origins of Korean fan dancing are a combination of politics and religion. The court of the Cho-Sen dynasty was the basis for the intricate costuming and very precise movements. However, the movements themselves evoke natural phenomena, from the color and fringes of the peony-colored fans to the many formations that recall blooming trees, flowers, and natural waves.
This choreography and costuming are closely related to the shamanic religious tradition of Korean spiritual beliefs. The two have combined to create Buchaechum, which is the correct name for the dance. Originating on the peninsula, it has become one of the great ambassadorial art forms for Koreans around the world because the movement and color are stunning and captivating, no matter what culture you are from.

Indonesia
Traditional Indonesian Authentic Foods
Indonesian Cultural Tent:
- Gamelan Music Workshops & Information Booth presented by the Natalie H. Haslam College of Music at UT Knoxville
- UT Knoxville is home to a Balinese seven-tone gamelan semar pegulingan. This ensemble consists of a large collection of bronze-keyed metallophones, bronze gongs, drums, and bamboo flutes
- Participation in the group is open to the public through UT Knoxville: music.utk.edu/university-community-music-school/

The Philippines
- Philippine Cultural Items
- Giveaway for Branded Items
- Karaoke
- Tinikling
- Pabitin Candy Jump for Children
- Traditional Dance Lessons

Taiwan
- Night Market Fun Games.
- Tryout Traditional Temple Fair Costume.
- Taiwan Tourism Information Display.
- Traditional Taiwanese Cuisine Display.

India
Rangoli decorations & Salt dough Diya decorating

Bangladesh
We will be showcasing Bangladeshi souvenir and holding passport program. We will be doing Henna Tatoos in our booth.

Vietnam
The French brought coffee to Vietnam back in the 19th century. Now it is an essential part of Vietnamese culture. In fact, Vietnam is one of the largest coffee producers in the world! Local coffee is made in a variety of ways, but the most popular is with sweetened condensed milk. “Café da,” which is coffee served cold and over ice, is also popular. Vietnamese coffee tends to be made stronger than what we’re used to in the West, so be ready for a buzz!
Authentic Foods and Vietnam French Coffee sampling.
Sampling of Vietnam French Coffee.

Thailand
Street Parties and Cultural Shows – Songkran Festival – It is widely recognized for its massive water fights, symbolizing purification and the washing away of bad luck.
You can also Temple Visits & Merit-Making 🛕 – Many visit temples to offer food to monks, pour water on Buddha statues, and participate in merit-making ceremonies.
Enjoy Authentic Thailand Foods.

Singapore
We will have a poster sharing details of the country, Singapore souvenirs, and a kids painting competition.

Malaysia
Explore the culture and foods of Malaysia!

Myanmar
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Learn Greetings in the Myanmar Language
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Traditional Handcrafted Items & Jewelry
- Education about Country
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Traditional Clothing
