- ARAB NEWS
- 28 Apr 2024
Since 1975
DUBAI: The Japanese School of Dubai held a ‘DJS Festival’ on November 25, a day they dedicated to celebrating Japanese culture and traditions in the UAE.
The parade of “Omikoshi,” a portable shrine by children added to the festive atmosphere. The raffle and candy corner were set up just like a Japanese village fair and drew cheers from the children living far away from Japan.
In the gymnasium, children could touch taiko drums, play ring toss, and enjoy Japanese popular sports such as baseball, football, and basketball with their parents.
A special lunch menu was also presented by popular local UAE restaurants such as TOMO, MARU UDON, Yamanote Atelier, Fujiya, and Summit.
An “Eco Katsu” was organized by the parents, which was a ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ bazaar. The most notable items included a collection of Japanese books, which are popular amongst families.
Children carried omikoshi (portable shrines) through the school courtyard, adding to the festive mood.
External organizations participated in the new program, making it a more open and successful event.
According to Koichi Yokoyama, President of Dubai Japanese School’s Parents’ Association, “We decided to create an opportunity to connect families and communities by providing a fun place for children to smile.”
He added: “We also decided to break free from past precedents and collaborate with outside companies and organizations.”
At the opening ceremony, an official from the Climate Change Division of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an online presentation on “Japan’s Efforts Against Climate Change” for the children participating in the DJS festival, in reference to the COP28, currently being held in Dubai.
Kharsha, the local UAE taiko drumming group, performed enthusiastically in their familiar kandoora and happi coat costumes, while another group, ‘ENKA,’ introduced Emirati culture to the Japanese families to experience Arab traditions.
A shaved ice corner was set up at DJS Festival 2023 by high school student volunteers, mainly graduates of Japanese schools.
In the first attempt at corporate participation, Japanese sports equipment manufacturer ASICS offered a “running clinic” for children, beverage company Yakult offered a “nutrition education booth,” and ZOJIRUSHI, another popular Japanese vacuum bottle brand, showcased its products next to a museum of the future built by children and offered its products for the closing ceremony’s raffle draw.
Wokyo, a Japanese ramen restaurant in Dubai offered vouchers to the volunteers. Emirates Airlines also participated for the first time, interacting with parents and children.
Yokoyama said: “I feel that we were able to achieve some of the goals of the DJS festival, and I am truly grateful to everyone involved for their support and cooperation.”
In the following weeks, the school’s students will have valuable experiences unique to the Middle East region during their school days, including a visit to the mosque and camping in the desert.
Dubai Japanese School dates back to 1977 and officially established in 1980 as a full-day Japanese school by the Japanese Association of Dubai and Northern UAE.
The school currently has a total of about 136 students from first grade to thirteen grade, and has a kindergarten attached to it.
