Well, that was it. After four years and almost 30 events, on December 2 we said goodbye to one of the most iconic events in the Nagoya scene, The International Party. And what an epic goodbye it was.
It was the biggest International Party of the year, with over 150 attendees coming to celebrate the end of an event that has been responsible for creating friendships and defining the international community for many of you. Personally, I have met the majority of my closest friends at or through this event, and it was truly difficult to let this one go.
I started this event back in 2018 on a whim. There was no intention to build a community or even to host events, I simply took an opportunity that was put in front of me, and I wanted only to make sure that I did it the best that I could. I could never have imagined the journey that it would take me on, that it would lead me to these wonderful friendships and to the formation of Small World, which now sits as the centerpiece of my Japan experience. The success of Small World is my greatest achievement, and it all leads back to The International Party. I am truly sad to see it go.
Many people have asked me if this is the end of Small World, and I assure you that it is not. In fact, it is part of a plan that I will unfold over 2024, something that will lead us into bigger and more ambitious events that will continue to bring the community together and give you experiences that you’d be unable to enjoy anywhere else in Japan. I’m very excited to share these events with you over the coming months.
The International Party will return at some point in the future, when I feel that the timing is right. And I guarantee you that it will be bigger and better than ever before.
Until then, I encourage all of you to attend all of our other events. We’ve stripped back a bit, but some events will continue, and some will return in new ways. And I most definitely encourage you to attend our big projects, and believe me, you’ll know them when you see them. These ones are really special.
I’d like to thank each and every one of you for making The International Party the phenomenon that it was. I’m not sure if there were any events quite as vibrant and warm anywhere else. I feel like we’d bottled lightning. And that’s all ‘cause of you guys.
