Japanese food, movies, judo, drum sessions at India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2018
People especially the children in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya enjoyed Japanese food, judo performance, Japanese movies, Japanese drum session, seminars for studying in Japan and presentation on how Japanese people appreciate cherry blossom during the India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2018 this month.
“India International Cherry Blossom Festival is organized by the State Government of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Forest and Environment Department, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), at the bloom of cherry blossom every year since 2016 in Meghalaya, also known as the cultural heart of the North East.
This year, Embassy of Japan in India; Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR); Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI); Japan Foundation New Delhi; Shillong-based think tank, Asian Confluence; and North East Council (NEC) provided participated and supported the event.
At “India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2018”, Japan was featured through Japanese food corner by Japanese chefs, Judo performance by Hiroyuki Mizuno from All Japan Judo Federation, Japanese movie screening, Japanese drum performance by Delhi Japanese Drums Club, study in Japan session by University of Tokyo and Ritsumeikan University, and briefing on Japanese cherry blossom-related culture by Dr. Toshio Katsuki from Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tokyo.
In the opening ceremony on November 14, Japan Ambassador to India Hiramatsu and Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma were present.
Ambassador Hiramatsu said that cherry blossom is very special to the people of Japan and the full bloom of the cherry flowers in Shillong is the symbol of the friendship between Japan and India as well as the friendship between Japan and North East. Ambassador Hiramatsu shared a very successful outcome of PM Modi’s visit to Japan last month and expressed his wish for even stronger bonds between Japan and North East.
