Since the fall of 2006, when Ukraine experienced its first “Month of Japan in Ukraine,” the festival has become an annual tradition, expanding the horizons of Ukrainians to the “Land of the Rising Sun.”
It is another seven-league stride in the internationalization of the Ukrainian consciousness, gradually opening up to the rest of the world, despite remaining a bit closed from Soviet days. And the best news is, there’s still time to enjoy events – as the “Month of Japan” is actually two months of events, ending at the end of November.
While the festival program may change, the best way to stay on top of things is to follow the updates at the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine website: http://www.ua.emb-japan.go.jp/U/Culture/monthj08_u.html.
On Oct. 4, the festival cordially welcomed visitors to theJapanese music concert “Harmony of Strings and Wind — Music Today Japan,” which commemorated the beginning of the “Month of Japan in Ukraine-2008.”
Kyivans and guests of the capital were also able to revel in the essence of the Japanese art of flower arrangement, called “ikebana,” through a demonstration by Midori Yamada, head of the Ikebana Institute’s branch in former Soviet nations. That happened at the Budynok Vchenykh (House of Scientists). Compositions were also shown at an “ikebana” exhibition at the same address on Oct. 14-15. [picture 4]
Those fond of Eastern martial arts got a unique opportunity to follow the “way of the sword” at the 3rd Ambassador of Japan Cup Kendo (Japanese sword fighting) Tournament at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 18-19. [picture 1, 2]
The philosophy of the Asian ritualized form of making tea will be revealed through demonstration of traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the Ukraine-Japan Center in the library of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute on Oct 25.
The festival started when Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko and Japanese ex-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi approved the “Month of Japan in Ukraine,” as well as the “Month of Ukraine in Japan.”
The festival got off to a big start with over 40 events, including ethnic Japanese drums in the Opera Theater, master classes in calligraphy, origami (the ancient art of paper folding), a tea ceremony, an aikido tournament and kabuki, or traditional Japanese theater.
“In 2006, the festival impressed with the diversity of events and their number was just enormous. The main purpose was to make a deep impression with Japanese culture,” said Shinichi Murai, cultural attache of the the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine. “This year we are less concerned with quantity, but care more about the essence of events. As a matter of fact, we are placing stress on representing the Japanese culture particularly at the educational level.”
Based upon the request of several Ukrainian universities which have Asian studies programs, several lectures will be given on Matsuo Basho, one of the most famous poets in Japan, the master of haiku.
Another distinctive feature is that this year’s event crosses the boundaries of Kyiv and moves into the regions. Consequently, starting on Nov. 17, Lugansk, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk will get an incredible chance to participate in an origami master class [picture 5]
The purpose of the festival, sponsored mainly by the government of Japan, is “to reach the understanding of Japan” through demonstration of its culture, Murai said.
Hopefully, Kyivans and the guests of the capital will not miss the chance to bathe in rays of the “Land of the Rising Sun” on the territory of Ukraine.
