In the third weekend of January, 20 high school students from Nagoya International School (NIS) bundled up in their warmest attire and embarked on an inspiring trip to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. They flew off to participate in the inaugural EAISAC Festival of the Arts, hosted by International School of Ulaanbaatar (ISU).
The festival brought together students from all four EAISAC schools—NIS, the International School of Ulaanbaatar, the International School of Busan, and Fukuoka International School—for a unique artistic collaboration. With the theme “Crossroads: Fusion of Old & New,” the event celebrated cultural legacies and modern creativity.
Collaboration and Expression
Unlike the EAISAC sports gatherings, the Festival of the Arts was designed not as a competitive endeavor, but as a collaborative experience, allowing students to work with peers from different backgrounds and artistic perspectives. Participants were grouped by their respective fields—visual arts, drama, and music—and tasked with creating original work within the span of the festival - just three days! With the overarching theme to guide them, strangers soon became friends as they explored ways to merge historical influences with contemporary artistic expressions.
The final showcase featured powerful performances, stunning visual art, and original compositions, reflecting the theme and a spirited interplay between tradition and innovation. Each piece was a testament to the students’ ability to collaborate, adapt, and express themselves through art in a meaningful way.
Why the Arts Matter
Events like this solidly demonstrate how the arts play a vital role in holistic, inquiry-based learning. Arts education nurtures creativity, fosters emotional intelligence, and encourages students to think critically and express ideas beyond words. The arts provide a window into different cultural perspectives, helping students appreciate the richness of diverse traditions while inspiring them to develop their own artistic voices.
As Visual Arts teacher Andrew Dibella shared, “The arts engage a different part of us as human beings. They teach students to think outside the box, to communicate not just through words but visually, emotionally, and culturally.” The festival embodied this philosophy, challenging students to create, collaborate, and be risk-takers—an invaluable experience that echoes real-world creative processes.
Rowen, a Gr. 12 student who participated added, “Arts education is important to foster creativity. Of course, it benefits many aspects of all learning if students can think creatively.”
An Unforgettable Experience
For many students, the festival was more than just an artistic endeavor—it was a chance to build connections, embrace new challenges, and develop confidence in their abilities, including ways to express themselves. With nearly 100 students participating, the festival fostered a sense of camaraderie across borders, proving that the arts have the power to bring people together in profound ways.
Rowen commented, “There were so many aspects of the festival that were impressive…from the cultural performances of the Morin Khuur (a traditional stringed instrument) and Mongolian throat singing to watching how each of the art disciplines created such outstanding performances and pieces in only three days!”
This milestone event marks the beginning of a new tradition within EAISAC, ensuring that students engaged in the arts are able to collaborate internationally as well. It was an extraordinary experience—one that not only celebrated artistic talent but also reinforced the importance of international mindedness, creativity, culture, and connection in education.
We can’t wait to see how the EAISAC Festival of the Arts continues to grow and inspire future generations of artists!
