Symbol of Japan to blossom in capital

Symbol of Japan to blossom in capital

Hanoians can look forward to the sight and smell of 300 blossoming cherry branches this Sunday as the capital cheers its second Japanese Sakura (Cherry blossom) festival.

This year event will be much bigger and better than last year, permanent member of the Japan-Viet Nam Cultural Exchange Association Fujisawa Satoshi says.

"The festival will have three times more cherry blossom branches than last year," he says. "There are also more performers and more performances."

The first-ever Sukura festival held in Ha Noi last April welcomed around 10,000 visitors, a surprisingly high number, according to Fujisawa. "Many visitors last year told us they hoped the event would take place again the following year."

Adding more colour to the event will be 300 traditional Japanese carp-shaped lanterns in red, pink and white. The lanterns symbolise luck, health and happiness. They are often used on May 5 in Japan during the country Festival of Children.

Visitors to the fest will also be treated to a show of 450 Yosakoi dancers from Tokyo dance troupes Super Yosakoi and Harajuku, as well as Vietnamese performers. The dancers will be divided into six groups to dance Yosakoi in the Japanese Language Centre on Nui Truc Street and the festival main venue, the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre on Giang Vo Road.

The centre will host Japanese traditional games including Kendama ball throwing, Wanage bracelet throwing and Origami demonstrations. Visitors will also get the chance to try Japanese food and learn the art of making Japanese tea.

Adding to the ambience will be live shows from Japanese and Vietnamese musicians, as well as a Kimono show, a glutinous rice dumpling making competition and Japanese martial arts performances such as Aikido. A film titled Vietnamese Youth Talk about Japan will also be shown.

A charity box will also be handed round to raise money for handicapped children in Viet Nam, organisers say.

Cherry blossom has been a symbol of Japanese culture for centuries. It flowers across the east-Asian country from January to May.

The festival is part of a programme to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan. It is co-organised by the Viet Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange Association and Japan-Viet Nam Cultural Exchange Association. Celebrations at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre in Ha Noi will kick off at 10am and wrap up at around 6.30pm.