Immersia 2024: A Cultural Kaleidoscope

The Immersia 2024 Menu: A Taste of Diversity

This year, our Immersia menu was bursting with diverse flavours and experience for every palate:

• Japanese Tea Ceremonies and Zen Meditation Sessions: Participants immersed themselves in the serene and intricate art of the Japanese tea ceremony and practiced Japanese Zen meditation. These calming and culturally rich experiences provided a peaceful retreat from the busyness of daily life and offered a deep insight into Japanese culture and traditions.
   
• Mongolian Cultural Showcase: Our Mongolian events offered a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Participants savoured authentic Mongolian cuisine while being captivated by the deep, resonant tones of throat singing and the haunting melodies of the horse-head fiddle (morin khuur). The showcase also included traditional shagai fortune telling and various Mongolian games. All these activities took place within a traditional Mongolian dwelling, the ger, creating an immersive and culturally enriching environment in which to experience Mongolia’s cultural heritage.
   
• Voices of Women: In collaboration with the ANU Gender Institute, Immersia 2024 featured an engaging trio of book launches. The events showcased diverse perspectives and groundbreaking research. "Yoga with a Twist" offered insights into the evolving practice of yoga and its cultural implications. "Unveiling Australia's Hidden Histories: Monte Punshon's Secretive Century" explored the untold stories of a fascinating historical figure. "Who's Marrying Who? Exploring Global Intimacies" delved into the complexities of marriage and relationships across different cultures. These launches provided a platform for critical discussions and highlighted the depth of scholarship at ANU.
   
• Fun and Games: The ANU Board Games Society hosted two evenings of fun and strategy, featuring traditional Asian and Pacific games like Mahjong and Hanafuda. And on a sporty note, the Burmese community, led by the ANU Myanmar Students Association, presented a demonstration of Chin Lone, or Burmese cane soccer. Adding to the fun was a beautiful showcase of Myanmar culture and a language taster.
   
• Dance and Martial Arts from India: Attendees – including participants at the Student Life Student Research Conference – shook a leg with cultural association ACT Desi at our traditional Garba dance workshop, a vibrant and energetic celebration of Indian culture. ACT Desi also presented a fascinating showcase of an Indian martial arts form known as Silambam.
   
• Gamelan Sedulur Monco and Indonesian Immersia: The rich cultural heritage of Indonesia was explored with the meditative sounds of the gamelan, as well as other performances, crafts, and delicious cuisine, hosted in collaboration with the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association, the ANU Indonesian Students Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra.
   
• Chinese Cultural Showcase: A Moon Festival Celebration
  At Immersia 2024, the Chinese Cultural Showcase beautifully celebrated the Moon Festival with a variety of engaging activities. Attendees enjoyed the traditional game of Chinese Whispers, a captivating costume showcase, and delightful mooncake sampling. The event also featured Chinese tea tastings, mesmerizing fan dance demonstrations, and other cultural activities. This immersive celebration offered a rich and vibrant insight into the traditions and festivities of the Moon Festival, making it a standout experience of the festival.