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!

Pacific Islands

We are excited to honor special guests from the Pacific Islands at the 2025 festival!

Learn How to Hula Dance

Japan

SUMO: We will welcome back Sumo Wrestlers from Japan!

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.

Display of Okinawa books and musical instruments
Free tour guide booklets
Japanese craft sales
Traditional Music – Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Sakura Sakura on cardboard shamisen & Japanese Drums
Origami and calligraphy lessons by Japanese students
You can make your own kendam
The Vols Japanese Culture Association (VJCA) will be selling paper parasols (‘wagasa’) and folding fans, as well as running a carnival-like fishing game (‘yo-yo tsuri’) for kids. All proceeds will go towards fundraising for the club at UT.
The Japanese Animanga Research Society (aka JARS; the official Animanga club of the University of Tennessee Knoxville), and selling various items (manga, bento boxes, chopsticks, parasols, fans, etc).
The Japanese Club at Bearden High School will do water color Kanji with participants to raise money for the club. We will treat it as a good luck charm to prepare to wish for the things people hope for through the school year or to prepare for the next calendar year
Kendo Club

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
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
Learn about Korean History
Hangul writing
Korean games

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/
1. Activity with Consulate of Indonesia, Houston Texas

a. Games and win prize

b. Learn about cultures, regions from Consulate of Indonesia Houston

c. Listen to Wayang Puppet Story

2. Make Wayang Puppet, learn the character

3. Do Batik Workshop

3. Indonesia Balinese Dance with Santi Budaya

The Philippines

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

Taiwan

We are going to share…

Taiwanese poster
Travel information from the government
Traditional crafts
Chinese Calligraphy
Taiwanese religious
Childrens toys
Fortune telling
Traditional rice hat and fan
Night Market Fun Games
Tryout Traditional Temple Fair Costume
Taiwan Tourism Information Display
Traditional Taiwanese Cuisine Display

India

🌸✨ Experience India at the Festival! ✨🌸

Bring the kids to the Indian Booth and enjoy hands-on activities that are fun, creative, and rich in cultural meaning:

🎨 Rangoli Art with Colored Sand
Kids fill in beautiful rangoli patterns with vibrant colored sand.
🌟 Symbolizes welcoming good luck, joy, and positivity!

🪔 Diya Lamp Painting
Paint your own traditional clay diya lamp.
🌟 Represents light, hope, and blessings during Diwali.

🐘 Paper Plate Elephant Craft
Create an adorable elephant face with paper plates and googly eyes.
🌟 Elephants are symbols of wisdom, strength, and new beginnings.

🌀 Spinning Top Challenge
Try spinning a traditional wooden top (Pambaram) and see who’s top spins the longest!
🌟 A beloved game across Indian villages for generations.

💖 These activities are perfect for kids to learn, create, and celebrate Indian culture in a fun way. Don’t miss it!

Bangladesh

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

Thailand

The Loy Krathong Festival is held annually on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November). It is a celebration of Thai identity, history and beliefs.

The word “loy” means “to float,” and “krathong” refers to the lotus-shaped container that is traditionally made from banana leaves and decorated with flowers, candles, and incense.

The krathongs are floated on rivers, canals and other bodies of water, and the festival is a time when people make wishes and ask for forgiveness for any wrongdoing.

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

🎨 Singapore Art Contest – Kids Ages 5–12 🇸🇬

Get ready to show off your creativity at the Knox Asian Festival! The Singapore Art Contest invites kids to draw or color anything inspired by Singapore.

How it works:

Kids can create freely – no limits on what they draw!
Need inspiration? We’ve provided pictures and coloring pages of Singapore, but kids are welcome to create their own unique artwork.
Art materials available: colored pencils, crayons, watercolor paints, acrylic paints, and oil pastels.
Please write your child’s name, age, and parent’s email address on the back of the artwork.

When & Where:

Date: August 24
Location: Singapore Booth at Knox Asian Festival
On-the-spot Art Areas: 4–6 stations will be set up for kids who want to participate spontaneously.

Let your imagination take flight and celebrate Singapore through your art! 🌏✨

Malaysia

Explore the culture and foods of Malaysia!

Myanmar

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

Pakistan

Enjoy traditional Pakistani dishes!

Vietnam

Enjoy the traditional tastes of authentic Vietnamese food!