2022 Immersia: Engaging with the Pacific and Asia

It's been an isolating few years of largely virtual meetings and only small gatherings. But that's all changing now, and we're finally kicking off a long-awaited vision on Thursday 1 December 2022: a festival with a difference! Presenting 2022 IMMERSIA: Engaging with the Pacific and Asia-a culturally immersive experience for participants and attendees alike.

IMMERSIA is all about cultural immersion for that real-time experience of all the cultural and research diversity we represent. Starting off as a fledgling vision in 2019 as part of the ANU School of Culture, History & Language's flagship program, IMMERSIA has evolved to become much more than this, with the Vice-Chancellor supporting it as an initiative that aims to drive student experience, wellbeing and the spirit of community.

This flagship multicultural perspectives festival will bring together the versatile and multidisciplinary faces of ANU into a cohesive, fun and immersive festival. Celebrating the diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism we stand for, IMMERSIA aims to bring together our research, student and local communities in the ACT-including Indigenous performers and artists focused on cultural preservation and mindfulness programs-and strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing across the university and beyond.

Held on ANU Campus, IMMERSIA is free to attend and will run over three days from Thursday, 1 December till Saturday, 3 December. On 1 & 2 December, the heritage HC Coombs Building will be abuzz with fun-filled and insightful workshops and events. On Saturday, the last day of the festival, Kambri Precinct will be the hub of all activity.

There's lots in store for everyone, from perfume making and a traditional dress showcase to art, craft, music, dance, yoga and other cultural workshops from across the Asia-Pacific region. There's also book launches, photography exhibitions and documentary screenings to look forward to.

Get set for the lowdown on the art and history of attar (perfume) in North India, exploring the culture and meanings of fragrance, by PhD student Giti Datt; you can also sign up for a perfume-making workshop afterwards!

'Ger' up for Mongolian cultural immersion with a visit to a traditional ger and experience the Mongolian landscape and way of life through anthropologist Dr Natasha Fijn's lens at our gallery space!

Sample some of our amazing languages with our language taster sessions that'll teach you some key expressions in various Asian and Pacific languages; plus, watch out for our traditional dress show with a difference: get to know about the cultural, historical and social nuances of traditional attire from around the Asia-Pacific region!

Wrapping it all up in a sparkling finale is some ethereal stargazing at the Fellows Oval with ANU astrophysicist Professor Brad Tucker. Did you know that in 2018, a national stargazing event held here secured two Guinness World Records for Australia?

We welcome you warmly to come with colleagues, friends and family to immerse yourself in the vibrant hues of our multicultural showcase. Get set for lots of immersive cultural learning, fun, food and festivity!  Find out more and keep updated on the evolving program at https://immersia.anu.edu.au. Head to the website to plan your visit now!