About the Film Immerse yourself in the life of Yonezo Okita as he leaves his home in Hiroshima, Japan, to migrate to Canada in 1935. Experience Yonezo’s peaceful life on a strawberry farm and feel the shock of war and racism that affects his family for generations. Filmmaker Randall Okita pays tribute to his grandfather through interactive and deeply personal storytelling in this room-scale virtual reality film.  Register for the VR Experience Audience members will be able to view this short documentary by signing up for timed one-hour slots at two campus locations at Hesburgh Libraries and Jenkins Nanovic Halls. Staff will be present to assist the user of the virtual reality (VR) equipment throughout the entire session.  Make an Appointment: Fall 2025 Book of Distance Virtual Reality ExperienceAvailable between September 29 and October 6, 2025 Attend the Lecture Join director Randall Okita in person for the free public lecture “Bridging Generations: Memory, Virtual Reality, and the Art of Reclaiming Lost Narratives in The Book of Distance” on Monday, October 6, 5:00 p.m. in 1050 Jenkins Nanovic Halls. About the DirectorRandall OkitaRandall Okita is an artist and filmmaker known for his use of rich visual language and innovative storytelling. His films have screened at Sundance, Venice, Tribeca and TIFF, while his art has appeared in galleries and museums worldwide. With over twenty international awards, including two Canadian Screen Awards, a Webby, and a Japan Prize, Okita continues to push boundaries internationally. Recent work includes the IFC feature film See for Me (Tribeca, BFI London), the VR experience The Book of Distance (Sundance, Venice), the solo exhibition A Place Between at the Prince Takamado Gallery in Tokyo, and Transport to Another World at The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. Of Irish and Japanese descent, Okita was born in Calgary and now splits his time between Toronto and Tokyo. An active mentor and educator, he believes in fostering creative communities. About the Series The film series Voicing Intergenerational Trauma in Postwar Korea and Japan through Contemporary Cinema explores how trauma is experienced intergenerationally in the family within the context of East Asia. Research demonstrates that trauma has lasting effects that reverberate beyond the victims who directly experience it (Cai and Lee 2022; Cho 2006). Families are the primary site where trauma is experienced and transferred across generations. This series sheds light on how these dynamics play out through a gendered lens within the context of East Asia, which has been profoundly shaped by ethnocentric violence during the Japanese imperial period and World War II, as well as social and economic upheaval following the outbreak of civil wars and the spread of Cold War politics in the 20th century. The series is sponsored by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, and Hesburgh Libraries with support from the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good, College of Arts & Letters. Originally published at asia.nd.edu.

Campus Safety’s Zombie Preparedness Festival returns to Notre Dame, once again transforming the area outside Notre Dame Stadium into a lively mix of safety education and Halloween fun. Now in its third year, the event welcomes faculty, staff, students, and community partners eager to learn practical preparedness skills. The Zombie Preparedness Festival blends fun with an important purpose: helping our campus community build the skills and knowledge needed to stay safe, even in the case of zombies. Attendees will be able to explore hands-on demonstrations ranging from CPR and first aid basics to fire extinguisher training and AED use. Campus departments and local agencies will also host interactive booths, covering everything from cybersecurity and travel safety to sustainability and emergency response. Adding to the energy of the day, a few familiar faces will be transformed into ghoulish versions of themselves, reminding everyone that even in the most unexpected circumstances, preparedness is key. Guests will enjoy food, giveaways, and a chance to win prizes.  Originally published at police.nd.edu.

Engage with art, connect with others, and explore new perspectives in Art + Insight, a program for adults 55+. Through guided close-looking exercises, lively conversations, and shared experiences, we will discover fresh ways to engage with art while building community. Join us for meaningful discussions and creative inspiration in the galleries each month as we explore new works of art together. Parking is available in the Visitor Lot immediately north of the Sculpture Park for a fee during the week (before 4:30 p.m.). Free two-hour parking is available in the Eddy Street Commons Parking Garage or along Angela Blvd. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, parking is free and available in any non-gated campus lot. If traveling via South Bend Transpo, take the No.7 bus and use the Eddy St. Commons stop. Originally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.

The Democracy in Dialogue Series enables Notre Dame students to engage with expert guest speakers on key issues facing global democracy. These monthly discussions aim to help students develop as global citizens and comparative scholars, explore threats to democracy, learn from international examples, consider actions to defend democracy, examine Catholic perspectives, and discuss overcoming polarization. The series also helps students build professional networks in international politics.Peter CummingsResearch Affiliate, University of Notre DameFormer Research & Evaluation Officer, Eurasia FoundationAlumnus, Kellogg International Scholars Program Broad, diverse coalitions have proven vital in advancing democracy, resisting authoritarianism, and protecting rights worldwide. Drawing on scholarly research and case studies from regions including Latin America and the Middle East, this discussion highlights both the successes and challenges of coalition formation. The conversation will draw out lessons for the United States today, pointing to concrete strategies for strengthening democratic resilience. Peter Cummings is a political scientist with an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Ph.D. from MIT, and more than a decade of experience related to democracy, international development, and social movements. In the academic space, he has conducted original field research in Chile and Brazil and published research on political protests, democracy, and education policy. In the practitioner space, he has applied his research skills to consulting at Tironi in Chile and to domestic and international development at FHI 360 and Eurasia Foundation. For more information, visit the event page. Sponsored by the Kellogg Institute at the Keough School of Global Affairs.

Join the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art for thematic tours inspired by its temporary exhibition Homecoming: Walter Osborne’s Portraits of Dublin, 1880–1900. These focused experiences in the galleries seek to help us more deeply consider works of art in light of the central theme, “Painting Generations,” woven through the exhibition. During the tour, participants will engage with works from the exhibition as well as a selected piece from the museum’s permanent collection. Our goal is to foster a broader conversation about the connections between art, culture, and the world around us while inviting a nuanced understanding of the themes that shape Osborne’s work.Walter Frederick Osborne (Irish, 1859–1903), Mary Guinness and Her Daughter Margaret, 1898, Oil on canvas, 54 × 60 inches (137.2 × 152.4 cm) unframed,Heritage Gift, 2023, National Gallery of Ireland Collection, NGI.2023.16. Photo, National Gallery of IrelandOriginally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.

Engage with the museum as a space for well-being and inspiration. Join yoga instructor Steve Krojniewski in the galleries to relax and recharge while surrounded by works from the collection. Mats are provided or you can bring your own. 
 Artful Yoga is free and open to all but is limited to 30 participants. Originally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.