Join us for a bumper celebration of language and culture. Creatively explore what it means to learn and speak more than one language and get an insight into different cultures in a fun and interactive way.

The School of Humanities, Language and Global Studies invites you to celebrate the diversity of languages studied and spoken at UCLan by hosting a day full of inspiring talks, interactive workshops, languages tasters, hands-on activities and crafts.

Free entry, all welcome (Booking your festival pass is not needed but advised)

Download the Festival programme here

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

TALKS, TASTERS AND PERFORMAMNCES

11:00 Festival Opening with Worldwise Samba Drummers

UCLan’s own samba drumming band will open the Festival with a vibrant music performance. Join us to feel the power of the carnival rhythm.

11:15 Classic Baduanjin Qigong

Classic Baduanjin Qigong is also sometimes called Mini Tai Chi. Join Professor Hong Liang in this ancient and most widely practiced wellness exercise from China. It consists of eight simple movements of gentle to medium intensity, making it easy to learn, and suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness. In this workshop, you will learn the theory behind the movements before actually trying them out.

11:30 A Beginner's Guide to Italian Body Language

Would you like to learn how to speak Italian with your hands? Then, come along and join Danila Datti in this interactive session where you will be introduced to the origins and basics of the Italian body language before trying your hand at Italian gestures yourself! No prior knowledge required.

12:00 Why are there so many French words in English?

"Why are there so many French words in English and so many English words in French?" wonders Dr Fred Brayard. Come along to find out about sharing words through centuries of a shared history.

12:30 Red Riding Hood in British Sign Language

In this interactive British Sign Language (BSL) session, Dr Nicola Nunn will show a signed version of the classic children's story, Little Red Riding Hood. You will be able to join in and learn BSL vocabulary related to the story. The session will help you to understand the importance of facial expressions for providing extra information and how to use the signing space around the body. No prior knowledge required.

13:00 K-Pop performance and Korean Language Taster

Enjoy a performance from UCLan's own K-Pop group Be:u and get a flavour of the Korean language with an interactive taster session facilitated by Jungmin Lee.

13:30 Analysing Comics

What can we find in East Asian comics? Join Dr Adina Zemanek for a taste of the language of comics – the strategies used to make meaning and appeal to audiences. It also shows that graphic novels may address topics with country- and even region-wide relevance, such as history and national identity.

14:00 Spanish Language Taster

Join Aina Mir Fons for a fun packed half hour for beginners, offering a simple introduction to Spanish. Sample typical phrases, tackle a few of the basics and you will be greeting each other in a new language by the end of the session.

14:30 Flash Fiction Workshop

Flash fiction, also known as microfiction, microstories or sudden fiction is a genre of fiction characterised by the length of the stories, which could go from a few words to a page. Join Dr Eduardo Tasis in this workshop, which will explain the characteristics of the genre and will provide you with the necessary techniques to produce successful and impactful flash fiction stories.

CRAFTS, GAMES AND HAND-ON ACTIVITIES

Drop in anytime between 11:00 – 15:00

Around the world in 15 minutes

Feeling like travelling around the world? Join Irina Alexa and take part in cultural knowledge related tasks and quizzes that will take you to different parts of the world.

Chinese Brush Painting

Using soft brushes, water and black ink, the art you could make will stand out. Our Confucius Institute team will teach you the traditional methods of this beautiful art form. You can try your hands at this unique and beautiful way of painting and create your own masterpiece of panda, golden fish or bamboo.

Chinese Calligraphy

Calligraphy is an ancient Chinese art form that turns simple writing into amazing works of art. Use traditional Chinese brushes and ink to make your own calligraphy whilst learning some Chinese words and numbers in the process with the guidance of our Confucius Institute team. You can also take this chance to learn how to write your name in Chinese.

Hanbok

Hanbok, a prime example of Korea’s tradition and culture, has embodied the heart and soul of the Korean people for thousands of years. Enjoy and experience the beauty of hanbok by trying on some traditional clothing and have your photo taken.

Henna Tattoos

Henna tattoos are the temporary designs on the body used in many eastern cultures, often as rite of passage or in religious celebrations. Get your own beautiful Henna tattoo by Aminah Khan.

Japanese Games

Come along and play Shogi, or Japanese chess, the most popular of a family of chess variants native to Japan.

Korean Crafts and Games

Get immersed into Korean culture by playing Gonggi (Korean: 공기 ), a popular Korean children's game that is traditionally played using five or more small grape-sized pebbles or Ddakji (Korean: 딱지) played with folded origami paper tiles. Come along to meet Preston Sejong Institute's team and try your hand at crafts such colouring your own kite, creating a colourful lantern or decorating your own wooden bookmark with your name in Korean. These crafting activities are fun for all the family.

Try a Traditional Chinese Costume

You will have the chance to try on Chinese costumes belonging to various ethnic groups and take beautiful pictures in these traditional Chinese garments.

STALLS

HERSTORY: Silenced by History

Stories of women who believed in themselves, pioneers in a society that side-lined them, yet fought for all future generations. A UCLan student-generated project sharing untold tales of extraordinary women across the globe that will move and inspire you. Come and chat to María Iglesias Mora and the students behind the project.

Learn about Life in Oman

Postgraduate student, Aminah Khan, has undertaken research in the Interior of Oman, focusing on the impact of modernisation on communities, particularly those who lived around irrigation channels called 'AFLAJ'. Come and chat to Aminah about her research and find out how art is bringing younger and older generations together.

Learn English for free at UCLan

Learn more about the free General English classes at UCLan running between October and June. These community classes are for everyone. In the classes, you can practise your English, make friends with other English learners and study together. Classes are taught by trainee teachers under supervision. There is a range of levels from Elementary to Upper Intermediate. Classes are both online and face-to-face. Students are aged between 18 and 70. Come and meet our friendly team of teachers and check which level and class will be best for you!

Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile (MIDEX)

With more than 60 internal members across all faculties of the university and 20 external members, MIDEX is an interdisciplinary centre of research and community engagement. It develops in-depth, state-of-the-art and impactful analysis of cultural, political, social, socio-legal and historical topics within migration, diaspora and exile. Visit us to find out more.

The Stories of Multilingual America, Told Through Art

Did you know that you can hear French and German in the United States of America? The Louisiana French and the Pennsylvania Germans are two communities that have been using their own forms of French and German for hundreds of years. Come to learn more and try your hand at some ‘heart in hand’ Scherenschnitte (a traditional German art form using paper cuttings) and look at the folk art that is still being made today!

Worldwise Centre

The Worldwise Centre at UCLan provides language and inter-cultural training opportunities to students and the wider community. Come along to find out about upcoming courses and have a go at our language games and quizzes.

Smile - you’re on camera! Please be aware that throughout the duration of the festival there will be official event photography/filming taking place for marketing and promotional purposes. Please talk to a member of the Festival team for further information or if you have any questions.

You can contact the Festival team at worldwise@uclan.ac.uk

Connect with us

Facebook/ Twitter/Instagram @WorldwiseCentre

School of Humanities, Language and Global Studies.