These DC International Events Are HOTTER Than Summer!

Reviewing The Week (Monday, June 19^th - Sunday, June 25^th )

A lot of events occurred this week, especially over the weekend! Socially, we are exhausted from interacting from the sheer number of visitors at these events to fans of the newsletter but in a good way 😄. It is humbling to be recognized by fans who follow the account on all or any of the social media platforms. Favorite events of the week included the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) City-Pop Exhibit, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) Summer Festival down below, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Fun fact: June 21^st was the longest day of the year since the Earth’s axis was tilted by about 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. On June 24^th , the Smithsonian Museums in DC were open until midnight to celebrate such an occasion. We were flabbergasted by the amount of people until midnight checking out the exhibits and dancing to music from DJs.

Check Out These Cool Organizations! 👇️ 

Yup, you read this right! We decided to go ahead and add a new section to the newsletter issue featuring some cool cultural centers, organizations, and embassies to check out in DC for your curiosity.

1. Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC)

2. Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC)

3. Elliot School of International Affairs 

4. National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

5. Energy Futures Initiative (EFI)

6. Ibero American Cultural Attachés Association

7. International Council for Small Business (ICSB)

8. Italian Cultural Society (ICS) of Washington DC

9. Korean-American Professional Association in Life Sciences (KAPAL)

10. Eaton House DC

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Event Highlight: Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) Summer Festival (Saturday, June 24^th )

It was a typical, summer Saturday in DC: hot, humid, and dehydrating. We visited the QAIC for the first time and was greeted by a rush of cold but welcoming air as soon as we walked inside. The building itself was akin to a French-style villa complete with ornate floors made out of marble, a spiraling staircase, and high ceilings. According to the Program Officer of QAIC, the building has existed since 1902, and was owned by a rich woman who lived alone. In the lobby rested a bounty of food including dates and other Qatarian delicacies. We made sure to sample them all and drink lots of water.

Ascending the staircase, the first floor had a room with a perfume exhibit that was masterfully attended to by the QAIC Events Coordinator. She recited the history of perfume beginning with its origins in Egypt to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. Other visitors were also enthralled by the smells coming from the center table where live samples of perfume could be tested. Moving away to the second floor, there were rooms full of interactive art exhibits relating to the rich history of the pearl diving industry in Qatar. A notable trend in the art was an attempt to keep alive the history of the past with the present and future as Qatar has changed over the decades.

The day ended with an appreciation on our part from the food side of things with a Middle Eastern-themed BBQ. Chef Fikri Karakoyun of Pera Eats Kurdish Grill was a master at whipping up a mixture of foods containing lamb, chicken, or beef with vegetables. Thank you to the folks at QAIC for organizing the Summer Festival!

International Events List (June 26^th - July 2^nd )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from June 26^th to July 2^nd below! We decided to get rid of the color scheme for this issue because we figured this would be easier on the eyes.

Monday, June 26^th , 2023

1. Earth Information Center Opening Day (FREE!) (8:30AM - 5:30PM)

2. Africa's Future Series: Africa’s Peace and Security (FREE!) (9:00AM - 11:00AM)

3. Sing Loud! Sing Proud! with Duo Erik Leuthäuser und Julia Kadel (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

4. Sacred Land: Music and Poems of Resilience from Ukraine ($28.52) (6:30PM - 8:00PM)

5. Politico Trivia Night (FREE!) (7:00PM - 9:00PM)

Tuesday, June 27^th , 2023

1. Ukraine: How to Maintain the Solidarity and Unity in Europe? (FREE!) (9:00AM - 10:30AM)

2. Innovit for Life Sciences > Road to #JPM24 Virtual Series (FREE!) (10:30AM - 4:30PM)

3. UNESCO Italy Photographic Exhibit (FREE!) (11:00AM - 12:00PM)

4. Using Policy to Accelerate BECCS Deployment in the United States (FREE!) (2:00PM - 3:30PM)

5. Advancing Women’s Rights Through Civic Engagement: A Vital Voices and Missing Perspectives Event (FREE!) (6:00PM - 8:00PM)

6. La Condesa (XV Ibero-American Film Showcase) (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

7. AURORA & CLUMSY LITTLE ACTS OF TENDERNESS (Finland Film Festival) ($8 - $13) (6:45PM - 8:45PM)

Wednesday, June 28^th , 2023

1. The Birthplace of Korean Entrepreneurship, Jinju City (FREE!) (4:00PM - 5:00PM)

2. First, the Rain (XV Ibero-American Film Showcase) (FREE!) (6:00PM - 8:00PM)

3. Founders Celebrating National Immigrant Heritage Month (In-Person Event) (FREE!) (6:00PM - 8:00PM)

4. Melodies of Friendship: Celebrating 70 Years of the U.S.-Korea Alliance (FREE!) (6:00PM - 8:00PM)

5. "See Me": Artist Talk & Closing Reception (FREE!) (7:00PM - 8:00PM)

Thursday, June 29^th , 2023

1. UNESCO Italy Photographic Exhibit (FREE!) (3:00PM - 4:00PM)

2. Emicida: Amar-Elo - é tudo pra ontem (FREE!) (SOLD OUT but WAITLIST) (5:00PM - 7:00PM)

3. Embassy of Georgia Concert, Reception, and Celebration of Georgian Culture ($71.21) (7:00PM - 9:00PM)

4. Taste of France - Exclusive Wine Tasting at the French Embassy ($120) (6:00PM - 8:00PM)

5. 2023 KAPAL BioForum Series: Biotechnology Market Trend & Industry Outlook (FREE!) (6:30PM - 9:00PM)

6. Jenny Lind Concert (SOLD OUT but WAITLIST) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

Friday, June 30^th , 2023

1. Virtual J-Film | It's a Summer Film! (FREE!)

2. Embassy Row Rooftop Sinatra in Havana Under the Stars ($28.52 - $39.19) (6:30PM - 9:30PM)

3. Rooftop Caribbean Celebration at the Embassy of the Bahamas (SOLD OUT but WAITLIST) ($68) (6:30PM - 9:00PM)

4. Los Andes No Creen En Dios (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

5. Machik x Eaton House Tibetan Film Series: Jinpa by Pema Tseden (FREE!) (6:00PM - 8:30PM)

6. Decision to Leave Film Screening (FREE!) (SOLD OUT but WAITLIST) (7:00PM - 9:30PM)

Saturday, July 1^st , 2023

1. Virtual J-Film | It's a Summer Film! (FREE!)

2. Yoga in the Galleries ($10 - $20) (10:00AM - 11:00AM)

3. Yuan Sheng International Academy US Tour (FREE!) (2:30PM - 3:30PM)

4. 2023 OLA Film Festival ($30 - $200) (7:00PM - 12:00AM)

Sunday, June 2^nd , 2023

1. "Sawasdee DC" Thai Festival (FREE!) (10:00AM - 8:00PM)

2. Afrobeats & Wine Festival ($10 - $800) (2:00PM - 9:00PM)