Japan Festival Matsuri in Honiara celebrates Japanese culture, food, dance and friendship with Solomon Islands communities.
On Saturday, 11th July, the Embassy of Japan and the JICA Solomon Islands hosted Japan Festival “Matsuri” (it means “Festival” in Japanese) at Futsal Court in Chinatown, Honiara, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The festival attracted approximately 500 visitors, including children, youth, and adults, providing an opportunity for people in Solomon Islands to experience various aspects of Japanese culture.
The event began with opening remarks by Ambassador HIGUCHI, followed by Radio Taiso (Radio Exercises), a form of exercise familiar to virtually all Japanese people from their school days.
Visitors enjoyed a wide range of cultural booths, including Yukata (traditional summer outfit) experience, Japanese calligraphy, face painting, traditional Japanese toys, and chopstick challenge games. In addition, Kitano Mendana Hotel offered a variety of Japanese food for visitors to enjoy.
The stage programme featured a performance by the Karate Federation, a performance of Yosakoi Soran, a traditional fishermen’s dance, by Embassy staff and JICA volunteers, as well as a presentation of Japanese songs by students of the Japanese Language Class at Solomon Islands National University (SINU). Visitors also enjoyed a Japanese language lesson and a quiz on Japan, conducted by JICA volunteers.
The festival concluded with participants joining together in Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese festival dance, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for all.
The Embassy of Japan and JICA Solomon Islands would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the event.
This was the first Japan Festival “Matsuri” jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan and the JICA Solomon Islands Office. Following the success of this year’s event, a similar festival is expected to be held again next year.
PRESS RELEASE
