THE SIXTH “EXPERIENCE JAPAN” APRIL 12TH AT FARMLEIGH

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‘Hanami’, or flower viewing, is the centuries old Japanese custom of families and groups all over Japan coming together to enjoy springtime viewing of the beautiful ‘Sakura’, or cherry blossoms. This is the sixth time for the Japanese community in Ireland to celebrate ‘Hanami’ and the ‘Sakura’ in the beautiful gardens of Farmleigh House and Estate in Dublin’s Phoenix Park with the people of Dublin and Ireland.

Ireland’s ‘Hanami’ takes place this year between 12.00 and 16.00 on Sunday, 12 April 2015. All media are kindly invited to visit Farmleigh to get photos and videos of dignitaries and the main performances. Highlights are as follows (times may vary):

12.15 – “Fusion of Japanese and Irish music” with Sean Whelan and Philip Horan

13.20 – “Dance of the Cherry Trees” by John Spillane

14.50 – Official Opening and Sake Barrel Opening Ceremony with Cllr Christy Burke, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Simon Harris, TD, Minister of State, and Mr Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

15.15 – Fusion of Irish dance and Japanese taiko drum performances (with Olive Hurley Dance Troupe and Japanese School Children)

Detailed information on the programme is available in the attached List of Events.  Media are requested to include the following captions when using any of the attached photographs:

Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4: Paul Kelly Photography No. 5: Fennell Photography

Throughout the spring, Experience Japan will feature a series of academic seminars on aspects of Japan on Sunday, 19 (Chester Beatty Library) and Tuesday, 21 April (Dublin City Council, Wood Quay), as well as a Young Adult Seminar Series on Sunday, 26 April (Chester Beatty Library).

Mr Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan said, “It gives me great pleasure that Experience Japan is now in its sixth year of existence. It has grown into the largest regular annual event celebrating Japanese culture in Ireland”, and continued, “Ireland and Japan enjoy very close political and economic ties, but our cultural links are equally important. For evidence of this, you only have to see how Experience Japan has expanded every year, with the help and support of everyone with an interest in Japan. I very much hope that our two countries will continue to grow closer this year too”.

Ms Anne Barrington, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan said “As relations between Ireland and Japan grow from strength to strength it is wonderful to see the work being done by the Experience Japan Festival in extending and developing the cultural and other links between our two countries”, and continued “Best wishes to all attending the Experience Japan Festival 2015!”

Experience Japan is run with the support of the Office of Public Works in Farmleigh, Dublin City Council (DCC), the Chester Beatty Library (CBL), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Dublin (UCD) and the Embassy of Japan in Ireland. Its sponsors include the Ireland Japan Association (IJA) and the Japan Business Society in Ireland.

For latest information see below:

Website: www.ExperienceJapan.ie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Experience-Japan/364831154258

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExpJapan

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeiMSdq8hnf83YDapC9bnzQ