FRANKFURT: A festival to introduce Japanese culture has been held in Frankfurt for the first time in two years, after last year’s event was called off due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In the festival, “Main Matsuri,” stalls selling “takoyaki” octopus dumplings and anime goods were set up, while a “sumie” ink brush painting performance and traditional Japanese musical instrument performances were given on a stage.

“The sounds of koto (Japanese harps) was beautiful. I want to visit Japan someday,” a 17-year-old woman said.

Almost all of about 15,000 free tickets to the three-day festival through Sunday have been issued, according to the association of Japanese companies in Frankfurt, the main organizer of the event.

Many ticket buyers said they became interested in Japan after watching the Tokyo Olympic Games, which ended earlier this month, an official of the association said.

Yoshihiko Fueki, a 38-year-old “wadaiko” Japanese drum player from Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, said he was surprised at a good sense of improvisation of a local player who joined the performance.

Yoyoka, an 11-year-old from Ishikari, Hokkaido, northernmost Japan, gave a dynamic drum performance. “It was my first live performance in 10 months. I was glad at getting applause,” Yoyoka said.

Visitors to the event were required to wear face masks and show certificates of vaccinations against the coronavirus or proof of virus-negative test results.

JIJI Press