- ARAB NEWS
- 29 Apr 2024
Since 1975
With a Fascinating performance by the Japanese NBK Band the festival ended successfully.
“I am very glad to see a huge number of Saudi people joining us tonight this evening in the Japanese festival which is co-organized by the Japanese community association as well as Japanese trade representative and the embassy of Japan in fact this event shows several aspects of Japanese culture including martial arts, tea ceremony very traditional as well as modern arts such as VR art, tomorrow we also have this event as well, So hope to see more and more people to come” said the Japanese Ambassador to Arab News Japan
During an interview with Aimi Sekiguchi, VR artist who performed on stage during the event, also, expressed how she felt about the art in Saudi Arabia and how it has a psychological aspect to it which is fascinating, she also, expressed her want to visit Alula, visit the historical sites, and feel the quiet desert environment.
The festival had many visitors and stage performances, ranging from Taiko (Japanese Drum) performance by the Riyadh Japanese School students to martial arts, and Matcha ceremony lecture and demonstration.
Also, there was the fascinating VR art performance by Aimi Sekiguchi, and the wonderful musical performance by NBK Band, doing covers for hit Japanese song and anime theme songs such as, the ending theme for the famous Jujutsu Kaisen 0 the movie, “Sakayume” by the King Gnu band.
On the 2nd day, the speech contest was held.; before starting, a word from the Japanese ambassador to the participants was held where he also expressed that he is very saddened over the current situation in the region.
Participants gave speeches in Japanese, 10 of the were in the beginner’s category while 9 were in the advanced category.
The judge panel consisted of 4 people, well known in the Saudi-Japanese community, the president of the Riyadh Japanese community association KAWAMOTO , Consultant at the ministry of culture Khalid ِ Alrashoud, The principle at Riyadh Japanese School IWADE and the Japanese ambassador FUMIO Iwai.
The winners of the contest were Wadi from the beginners category and Rahaf from the advanced category.
