International Embassy and Cultural Events in Washington D.C. (March 6th - March 12th)

The Week in Rewind (February 27th - March 5th)

It is shocking to me that the first week of March 2023 has already flown by with no respite. Honestly, where has the time gone? The weather in Washington D.C. is also equally remarkable with some days being a cold and rainy 45°F to summer-like days that are 75°F with clear blue skies. Unfortunately, this type of climate shock does not bode well with the natural rhythms of the plant life around the region and the city.

For those of you that are cherry blossom enthusiasts, here is some information regarding the peak of the bloom according to the following sources:

• National Park Service: March 22nd - March 25th

• Washington Post: March 25th - March 29th

• NBC Storm Team 4: March 15th - March 20th

The dates are obviously estimates since it varies from year to year depending on weather conditions. Regardless, keep your calendars clear for those dates!

Event Highlights: The Embassy of Georgia (March 2nd)

Out of all the embassy events that were available this week, I chose to go to the Embassy of Georgia for a cultural education to learn all about the Eastern Europe nation. I was shocked to learn that Georgia was well known for its diverse selection of wines made from different grapes. The evening started off with an interesting lecture with 4-5 samples of Georgian wine, each with their own unique taste, smell, and chemical makeup. I felt like a classy wine connoisseur learning about how to sample the various Georgian wines, rather than straight chugging it like one would do a keg of beer at house parties. Very refined if I do say so myself!

After a few more discussions about the country’s culture, the crowd was entertained by Georgian folk dances combined with an amazing display of costumes, sheer flexibility, and top-tier talent. I noticed that the feet placement of said performers were similar to the “en pointe” style of dancing for ballerinas. There was a lot of balancing on the toes to support the weight of one’s entire body. I have a true respect for the craft after seeing the performances. Big thanks to Things To Do DC and the Embassy of Georgia for hosting the event!

Enjoy some photos of the costumes below:

Event Highlights: The D.C. Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) Film Screening: City of Love (March 4th)

This was my first experience with the D.C. Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) and I have to say it was a truly riveting time. The DCIFF is a festival that celebrates the work of independent film directors with small to big budgets over the course of a couple of days. I attended the “CITY OF LOVE” premiere directed by the talented Èric Boadella (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-of-love-dir-by-eric-boadella-usa-2022-87mins-premiere-wdirector-tickets-535142434427). This film took me for a wild ride as it become a mélange of noir, psychological horror, and comedy genres with the main character Spencer returning to the world of Los Angeles (LA) after 20 years in jail. He struggles to reconnect with people in a sense after becoming institutionalized in the prison system and slowly mentally degrades over the course of the film.

The most interesting part of the film screening was the Q&A session with the director after the movie had concluded. Every person has their own viewpoint when it comes to interpreting films and the deeper meanings behind every decision made. However, from what I learned and watched, I believe that the entire indie film was a commentary on how it is difficult to connect with people nowadays with the rise of social media platforms and cellphones constantly baiting your attention regardless of where you are in the world. It could be LA, New York, or Washington D.C. but in the end, it does not truly matter since the message remains constant. Society has become so engrossed with focusing all of their attention on mobile phones, having a conversation with a stranger with the aim of forming a genuine connection can be terribly difficult. Of course, the spending 20 years in jail accentuates the problem considerably but not every person is in that position. The next time you go out for a date or even a walk with someone, try not to look at your phone constantly! Big thanks to the DCIFF and skillful Èric Boadella!

International Events (March 6th - March 11th)

For this week of March 6th - March 11th, I discovered something by accident by means of a Facebook ad regarding the Taste of Iceland Festival held in Washington D.C. (https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/culture/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-2023). For four days starting from March 8th - March 11th, the Taste of Iceland tour aims to bring Washingtonians to Iceland through a series of events that celebrates Icelandic culture through book talks, food, beverages, music, and more!

You can check out the agenda of said events using the URL link above as well as the listed events down below. WARNING: For most of these events, you need to register for tickets ahead of time which will be sent to you by signing up for the Taste of Iceland newsletter using your email! The old fashioned way of showing up 30 minutes before the event starts for free tickets also works as well!

In addition, any events under the Taste of Iceland Festival will be colored this shade of blue!

Monday, March 6th, 2023

1. Film Screening: Francophone Moldovan movie A Small Country with a Big Heart (FREE!)

   • Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-francophone-moldovan-movie-a-small-country-with-a-big-heart-tickets-554655428317?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

1. CID Panel: A View of Southeast Asia from State (FREE!)

   • Time: 5:00PM - 6:30PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cid-panel-a-view-of-southeast-asia-from-state-tickets-560795453297?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

2. The War in Ukraine: A Belgian Perspective (FREE!)

   • Time: 5:00PM - 6:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-war-in-ukraine-a-belgian-perspective-tickets-554465480177?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

1. Korea Policy Forum: South Korea's Nuclear Armament Debate (FREE!) 

   • Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM

   • Link:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/korea-policy-forum-south-koreas-nuclear-armament-debate-tickets-565336194777?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

2. Woman, Life, Freedom: International Women’s Day Event featuring Azar Nafisi (SOLD OUT!) 

   • Time: 12:00PM - 2:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woman-life-freedom-international-womens-day-event-featuring-azar-nafisi-tickets-541348928217?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

3. Donne & Arte Oggi (Women and Contemporary Art in Italy and Beyond) (FREE!)

   • Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donne-arte-oggi-registration-568460278997?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

4. Exhibition Opening: Uproot&Lideresas (FREE!)

   • Time: 6:30PM - 9:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exhibition-opening-uprootlideresas-tickets-551589126927?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

5. Song of Freedom آواز آزادی Concert ($44.52 - $108.55)

   • Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/song-of-freedom-tickets-521206000177?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

6. “Give Us Our Husbands Back” - Civil Resistance in Nazi-Germany Panel Discussion (SOLD OUT!)

   • Time: 6:30PM - 7:30PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/give-us-our-husbands-back-civil-resistance-in-nazi-germany-tickets-524641425627?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

7. Film Screening : "Freda" followed by a Q&A with Director Gessica Généus (FREE!)

   • Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-freda-followed-by-a-qa-with-director-gessica-geneus-tickets-536194220347?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

8. International Women's Day with The Overlook Quartet & Sayaka Tanikawa ($12.51 - $49.87)

   • Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-womens-day-with-the-overlook-quartet-sayaka-tanikawa-tickets-517019748987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

9. Taste of Iceland Festival: Secrets of the Sprakkar with Eliza Reid (FREE!) (MUST REGISTER!)

   • Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM

   • Link: https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-secrets-of-the-sprakkar 

10. The Monarchy after Queen Elizabeth: Dinner with Hugo Vickers ($185)

    • Time: 7:30PM - 9:30PM

    • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-monarchy-after-queen-elizabeth-dinner-with-hugo-vickers-tickets-519325325027?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

Thursday, March 9th, 2023

1. A Collective Dialogue: Manifesting Love through Art, Empathy & Action (FREE!)

   • Time: 3:00PM - 5:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-collective-dialogue-manifesting-love-through-art-empathy-action-tickets-563488387937?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

2. The US-Philippines Alliance Lecture (FREE!)

   • Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-us-philippines-alliance-tickets-530699345027?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

3. The Evolving Concerns of Russians after the Invasion of Ukraine (FREE!)

   • Time: 3:00PM - 4:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-evolving-concerns-of-russians-after-the-invasion-of-ukraine-tickets-558222016077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

4. K-Culture Night: Exploring Korean Hip-Hop and its Influences (FREE!)

   • Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/k-culture-night-exploring-korean-hip-hop-and-its-influences-registration-546460206187?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

5. Secret Cacao Garden Workshop at Eaton House (FREE but Pay-What-You-Can!)

   • Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/secret-cacao-garden-workshop-at-eaton-house-tickets-553778776227?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

6. Tango Classes at the Embassy of Uruguay ($75)

   • Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tango-classes-tickets-532641885217?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

7. Embassy of Portugal: Evening at the Residence of the Ambassador (SOLD OUT but get on the WAITLIST!) ($109)

   • Time: 6:30PM - 9:00PM

   • Link: https://thingstododc.com/event/portugal2023/ 

Friday, March 10th, 2023

1. La Francophonie: Walking Tour with Katie Kirkpatrick ($28.52 - $39.19)

   • Time: 10:00AM - 12:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-francophonie-walking-tour-with-katie-kirkpatrick-tickets-536165183497?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

2. Taste of Iceland Festival: An Interview with Eliza Reid: Author, Leader, and First Lady of Iceland (Free!)

   • Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-interview-with-eliza-reid-author-leader-and-first-lady-of-iceland-tickets-533686409417?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

3. Taste of Iceland Festival: WHEN FICTION BECOMES TRUTH: A CONVERSATION WITH SIGRÍÐUR HAGALÍN BJÖRNSDÓTTIR (FREE!) (MUST REGISTER!)

   • Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM

   • Link:https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-the-fires 

4. Walking Tour: Cultural Heritage of Black Broadway with Author Briana Thomas ($40)

   • Time: 2:00PM - 4:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-cultural-heritage-of-black-broadway-with-author-briana-thomas-tickets-305973915217?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

5. Taste of Iceland Festival: ICELANDIC COCKTAIL CLASS WITH REYKA VODKA (FREE!) (MUST REGISTER!)

   • Time: 5:00PM - 7:00PM

   • Link: https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-icelandic-cocktail-class 

6. A Conversation with the International Women of Courage (FREE!)

   • Time: 5:00PM - 6:30PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversation-with-the-international-women-of-courage-tickets-568095608257?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

7. Chocolate Making & Wine Masterclass ($37.05 - $92.55)

   • Time: 5:30PM - 8:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chocolate-making-wine-masterclass-tickets-532095360547?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

Saturday, March 11th, 2023

1. Islamic Calligraphy: Meet the Masters ($28.52 - $70.00)

   • Time: 11:00AM - 5:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/islamic-calligraphy-meet-the-masters-tickets-523791433277?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

2. Taste of Iceland Festival: Elemental Sound Bath (FREE!) (MUST REGISTER!)

   • Time: 11:00AM - 12:00PM

   • Link: https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-elemental-sound-bath-2023 

3. Creativity is Magic: Maya Lin Festival (FREE!)

   • Time: 11:30AM - 3:00PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creativity-is-magic-maya-lin-festival-tickets-554446373027?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

4. Library of Congress Walking Tour (SOLD OUT!)

   • Time: 11:45AM - 2:30PM

   • Link:https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=7B194C1B-327E-47BE-A820-00BC26998D6A 

5. Taste of Iceland Festival: 66°NORTH PRESENTS: INSPIRING FEMALE EXPLORATION WITH ÁSA STEINARS (FREE!) (MUST REGISTER!)

   • Time: 2:00PM - 3:00PM

   • Link: https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-asa-steinars 

6. Taste of Iceland Festival: REYKJAVIK PRESENTS: ICELAND AIRWAVES OFF VENUE (FREE!) (MUST REGISTER!)

   • Time: 7:00PM - 11:00PM

   • Link: https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-iceland-airwaves-off-venue 

Sunday, March 12th, 2023

1. International Chocolate Tour of Embassy Row ($40)

   • Time: 12:00PM - 2:00PM

   • Link: https://thingstododc.com/event/international-chocolate-tour-of-embassy-row-7/ 

2. Spy Tour of Embassy Row ($35)

   • Time: 12:00PM - 2:30PM

   • Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spy-tour-of-embassy-row-tickets-427666480957?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Finishing Touches!

As you can see, we have a fun-filled week over here in Washington D.C. with all these events to try! I am curious about the Taste of Iceland Festival with all of these pop-up events that are coming. Just remember to get your tickets in advance by registering on their website: (https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/culture/taste-of-iceland-washington-dc-2023).

As always, have a great time! Here is the link to the Google Calendar (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZW1iYXNzeWxpZmVpbmRjQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ)

Sincerely,

Embassy Life in DC Team