Tuesday 24 December 2013

Japanese arts win many hearts at city festival

The three-day Japan festival concluded on Sunday with the screening of Japanese animation movie 'Children Who Chase Lost Voices' in the evening. According to the organizers, over 10,000 people visited the festival held at Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA).
The festival included workshops on traditional Japanese arts such as Ikebana, Bonsai and Origami. "Over 1,000 persons, including many school kids and senior citizens, participated in these workshops spread over two days", said Mukesh Patel, president, Indo-Japan Friendship Association (IJFA).

"I really enjoyed the Ikebana workshop. It was a good experience to learn about Japanese art of flower arrangement", said 70-year-old Pravina Parekh.
Over 15 documentaries on introduction to Japan were also showcased along with seven award-winning Japanese films. "I had never seen a Japanese movie before. I enjoyed watching Shodo Girls, it was a moving story", said Sheetal Jain, homemaker who had come with her teenage son. Japanese tea ceremony demonstration and exhibition of Japanese dolls and crafts was also done as part of the festival.
Japanese people living and working in Ahmedabad too came for the festival to have some homely experience. "The organizers are showed traditional art and culture of Japan which will help people of Gujarat understand our country better and increase cooperation", said Naoshi Terasaki, project manager, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The organizers have decided to make the festival an annual affair from 2014. Earlier, two editions were held alongside Vibrant Gujarat summit.

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