International Children's Friendship Festival

About ICFF

What is the Seattle International Children's Friendship Festival (ICFF)?

The Seattle ICFF is an annual event celebrating cultural diversity, friendship, and understanding among children from different parts of the world. It provides a platform for kids to showcase their talents, traditions, and cultural heritage through various performances and activities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Families: Families with children of all ages are encouraged to attend the festival together. It offers a fun and educational experience for kids while allowing parents and guardians to explore and appreciate the diversity of cultures showcased at the event. 
  • Children: The ICFF is designed with children in mind, providing them with opportunities to participate in interactive activities, watch performances, and learn about different cultures in a vibrant and engaging environment. 
  • Educators and School Groups: Teachers and educators often bring their students to the ICFF as a cultural enrichment opportunity. School groups can enjoy performances, workshops, and exhibits that complement their curriculum and promote global awareness and understanding. 
  • Community Members: The ICFF is open to anyone in the local community who is interested in celebrating diversity, fostering international friendships, and experiencing the rich tapestry of cultures represented at the festival. 
  • Visitors from Other Regions: People visiting Seattle from other cities, states, or countries are also welcome to attend the ICFF. It’s a chance for them to immerse themselves in the local cultural scene and connect with people from different parts of the world. 

Fisher Pavilion (seattlecenter.com), Washington. The ICFF takes place every year in April. Festival application links open in November.

Children from diverse cultural backgrounds up to the age of 15 are welcome to participate. Whether you want to perform traditional dances, share folktales, or display artwork representing your culture, there are opportunities for kids to get involved and celebrate global friendship.
To participate in the Seattle ICFF, you can register your child or group through our official website: icffseattle.org .We welcome performers, artists, storytellers, and anyone interested in sharing their cultural heritage with others.
The festival features a diverse range of activities and performances, including traditional music and dance performances, cultural tables, arts and crafts workshops, interactive games, and more. Attendees can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of global cultures while making new friends from around the world.

At the ICFF, the display of flags from various countries serves multiple purposes: 

  • Representation: Each flag represents a country that has participated in previous editions of the festival. These countries have been officially recognized as a member state by the United Nations (UN). It’s a visual representation of the diverse range of cultures and nationalities that come together to celebrate friendship and cultural exchange. 
  • Inclusivity: Displaying flags from different countries creates an inclusive atmosphere where attendees from all backgrounds feel welcome and represented. It emphasizes the festival’s commitment to embracing diversity and fostering understanding among children from around the world. 
  • Connection: The flags symbolize the connections and friendships formed between participants from different countries during the festival. They serve as a reminder of the bonds created through shared experiences, performances, and interactions at the event. 
  • Education: For attendees, especially children, seeing flags from various countries can spark curiosity and interest in different cultures and geographical regions. It provides an opportunity for cultural learning and awareness, promoting global citizenship and respect for diversity. 

Overall, the flags at ICFF embody the spirit of international friendship, unity, and cultural appreciation that lie at the heart of the festival. 

Admission to the festival is free, thanks to the support of sponsors and donors. However, donations are welcome and help sustain the event for future years. 

Yes, we welcome volunteers who are passionate about promoting cultural exchange and fostering friendships among children. Whether you can assist with event setup, logistics, or hosting activities, your help is invaluable to the success of the festival. Please see the links below for how to support ICFF:

 

  1. if you’re interested in volunteering, please feel free to send us an email at info@icffseattle.org
  2. Donate (paypal.com)
  3. ICFF Sponsorship-packet.pdf (tacawa.org)

To stay informed about the Seattle ICFF, you can visit our official website, follow us on social media platforms such as Instagram, X,  Facebook and check  http://www.icffseattle.org/ . We regularly post updates, announcements, and highlights leading up to the event.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out to our festival organizers via email at info@icffseattle.org  We’re here to help and look forward to celebrating friendship and cultural diversity with you at the Seattle International Children’s Friendship Festival! 

History behind the icff

On April 23, 1920 the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) was inaugurated in Ankara, Turkiye. It was the first step toward the creation of the Republic of Turkiye, the roots of which were laid during the Turkish National War of Liberation led by Mustafa Kemal- later to be given the name Atatürk (father of Turks).

To mark the event, April 23rd was proclaimed a national holiday in 1921, making this the first public holiday in the new republic.

So how, did a public holiday become associated with Children’s Day? The world owes it to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. In 1927, he dedicated April 23 to children of Turkiye to recognize that they are the future.

In 1979, UNICEF recognized this important national day as an international event. In the years since 1979, Turkiye has hosted thousands of children from different countries on Children’s Day.

On National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, the world celebrates with Turkiye. Today not only honors the incredible journey of the Turkish republic but looks to an exciting future for the world’s children.