Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) will host the ‘Experience Japan’ Hanami Festival Day, in the Farmleigh Estate, Phoenix Park on Sunday 7th April. This is the 4th year that the festival has been hosted by OPW at Farmleigh and the venue is a wonderful backdrop for the ‘Hanami’ Cherry Blossom festival.
The Minister said, “In 2005, it was our very great pleasure to welcome the Imperial Couple, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan to Ireland for an official visit. We were very pleased to enhance the mutual understanding and esteem for our respective cultures during that visit. On Sunday 7th April we will be able to experience and enjoy a taste of Japanese culture courtesy of the ‘Experience Japan’ team, particularly its director Hugo O’Donnell, as well as student groups from UCD and DCU and of course, members of the Japanese community here in Ireland. My office have worked very hard, in cooperation with Dublin City Council, to ensure that this event will be a great success; despite the very un-Spring like weather!”
The Minister concluded, “In our present economic climate, the development of trade links, the creation of new jobs, employment and opportunities, both creative and innovative, is vital to our economy. The Irish Government, through the Asia Strategy, The Irish Exporters Association, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA continue to expand and develop business links and connections with much of Asia including Japan. This festival is an important part of creating cultural ties between our two countries; I know that this year’s ‘Experience Japan festival will be a great triumph and I wish it even greater success in the future.”
‘Experience Japan’ Hanami Festival Day - Sunday 7th April, 12noon to 4pm –
Farmleigh House & Estate, Phoenix Park
See www.experiencejapan.ie for further details of the festival events
See www.farmleigh.ie for visitor information on Farmleigh House & Grounds
Note to Editors:
Join members of Dublin's Japanese community and students groups from UCD and DCU to celebrate a Hanami (Cherry Blossom) Festival Day on Sunday 7th April. Hanami is an annual event in Japan where friends come together for outdoor parties to welcome spring and celebrate nature. (This event is supported by Dublin City Council and the Office of Public Works.)
Activities on the day will include:
- Taiko drum performances;
- Martial Arts demonstrations;
- Music performances with a fusion of Japanese and Irish performances;
- Origami and kite making craft workshops for children;
- Yo-Yo fishing and other fun activities for children;
- Cosplay fashions framed with traditional Kimono displays;
- Photographic competition;
- Japanese art workshop;
- Soran Bushi dancing;
- Japanese food stalls and
- Seminars on Japanese Food, Animation, and Japanese Art