Namaste Japan Fest 2023 attracts huge crowd, breaks its own record
Every year, the Namaste Japan Fest is organised by the Fukuoka-based Namaste Japan Fest Executive Committee. Most of the artists come from Fukuoka prefecture of Japan.
NEW DELHI: All roads New Delhi led to the Garden of Five Senses in Saket last Saturday when artists from Japan presented scintillating cultural performances during the 5th edition Namaste Japan Fest 2023, and made the Indian audience to dance to the music and set the stage on ‘fire’. More than 7000 people from Delhi and surrounding cities swarmed the place and enjoyed Japanese art and culture as well as sumptuous food and beverages.
In its 2nd edition, the Namaste Japan Fest had attracted a crowd of little more than 5000 in 2020 at the same venue. The following two events in 2021 and 2022 were organised online due to pandemic.
What turned the Indian crowd swinging in ecstasy was the Bollywood numbers being sung by Japanese people, and also Japanese girls offering Indian forms of dances including Odissi in Indian traditional attires. There were long queues of Indian youth waiting for their turn for trying their hands on Japanese calligraphy, and also wear Kimono costumes, and also see Cosplayers in various attires and themes. The entire one day event witnessed jam-packed sessions with the youths dancing and singing along with the stage performers.
Namaste Japan Fest is organised by the Fukuoka-based Namaste Japan Fest Executive Committee, led by Dharmendra Kumar. Most of the artists were from Fukuoka prefecture of Japan.
Kunihiko Kawazu, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, Prof. Ashok Chawla, Adviser (Japan), Ministry of External Affairs (India), Koji Sato, Director General, The Japan Foundation, New Delhi, Masaya Iwai, Centre Head, Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation, Noriko Nasukawa, President, NIHONGO Center, and Sanjeev K Ahuja, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ACN Network (Media Partner) were also present on this occasion for the inaugural session as well as for other events also.
Asian Community News (ACN) Network has been supporting the event by promoting it in India and in Asia-pacific region in the capacity of Media Partner with Namaste Japan Fest consecutively for the last four terms since 2020.
Prof. Ashok Chawla, Adviser (Japan), Ministry of External Affairs (India) not only introduced to the audience India-Japan relations in general terms, and economic linkages, he also spoke at length on cultural and People-to-People linkages between the two nations.
“Friendship between India and Japan has a long history, rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilizational ties. India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, based on the strong foundation of shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for rules of law, continues to respond to the challenges and opportunities of evolving times. Further, there is a great potential in bringing the people of our countries even closer through academic, youth and sports exchanges, and younger generation from both sides can make a big difference in respect of speed to tap the potential available,” said Prof Chawla adding that the cultural and people to people exchanges, which include events like Namaste Japan Festival, made the environment more attractive to further strengthen these ties.
In his address, Kunihiko Kawazu, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan said that Fukuoka Prefecture played a major role in Asian gateway exchanges with India.
“Fukuoka Prefecture celebrates its 15th anniversary by signing a Friendship Agreement with the Delhi Territory. Fukuoka Prefecture has a very high potential for mutual visits, economic relations and educational exchanges with India. In terms of human exchange, Fukuoka Prefecture has the second largest number of Indian students after Tokyo. Through today’s Namaste Japan, we hope that more Indians will learn about Japanese culture, like Japan, and especially support the efforts of Japan’s efforts,” added Kawazu san.
Masaya Iwai, Centre Head, Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation,invited Indian youths to opt for studies at various reputed colleges and universities in Fukuoka prefecture.
And not to miss out on the authentic Japanese food, the Japan Fest also had a number food stalls by
Nagomi Fine Dining Japanese Restaurant by AJU group of hotels, Ebisu Japanese Restaurant, Skycity Hotel & Restaurant, and TB Twist Bell.
The special stalls by Carats & Karats Center & School, Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation, Nihongo Center, Furusawa Japanese Academy, Kanaina Japnaese Center, and Anime Group India are added features of this grand event.
