View slideshows of July 6 I Day
Japanese Site Dedication
2007
What is International Day?
Twice each summer, villagers and staff meet at Waldsee, the German Language Village on Turtle River Lake. This gathering of roughly 2000 villagers, staff, parents and guests is called International Day. This festival is open to everyone and requires no admission fee. It is a unique opportunity for villagers, parents, and the public to learn about the language and cultural immersion programs Concordia Language Villages offers-all at one site!
We have all kinds of things to do. For example: Peace Site Ceremony, Parades, World Cup Soccer Extravaganza, Biohaus Tour, UN Summit, International Film Festival....
2007 I-Day song: "Festa" by Ivete Sangalo.
2007 I-Day theme: "SpeakYour Peace"
The purpose of International Day is to create a festival that:
- celebrates in meaningful and fun ways the languages and cultures represented by theVillages;
- promotes respect and tolerance of all who are members of the Villages community;
- builds on the friendships that have been created among and between the Village programs; and
- provides an opportunity for villagers, staff, parents and guests to be connected to the overall mission of the Villages.
Where is International Day?
 The festival is held at Waldsee, the German Language Village
at our Turtle River Lake site north of Bemidji,
Minnesota. Shuttle
buses offer convenient access to the festival. Villagers are transported
to and back to their Villages by bus.
Parents and guests park at the International Day entrance of the Turtle River site. Shuttle buses
offer convenient access from the parking lot to the festival. Tours of the Turtle River site, including the French, Norwegian, German, Finnish
and Spanish Language Villages will be available.
Area
accommodations
Contact these local resources
for more information about the Bemidji area and to book accommodations:
Who
attends?
 Everyone
is welcome at International Day! There are no admission fees though most people bring a little cash for food and drink as well as spending money
for the International Bazaar. Villagers attending sessions on July
6 or August 10 are transported to the festival with their Village
staff and return to their "home" Villages that evening.
Former and future villagers, parents, grandparents, little brothers
and sisters, former staff, and guests are invited to attend on their
own. It's one of the best days of the year at the Villages!
We also invite special
and honored guests to join us. Dignitaries, former directors, award-winning
staff and special friends and supporters of the Villages help us
celebrate as well.
 A variety of food is available
for purchase and plenty of activities for all ages are planned.
This is a great time to feel the tremendous spirit of the Villages.
The experience has been compared to the excitement of the opening
ceremony of the Olympics by a former Sjölunden alumna and
Olympic athlete.
We hope you can join
us! |
