Japan Day 2011
On September 25, this year's Japan Day celebration was co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan and the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA)/Ottawa Japanese Cultural Centre (OJCC) in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization was the setting for this year’s Japan Day as a special event related to the ongoing "JAPAN: Tradition. Innovation" exhibition. Set against this magnificent backdrop, the day-long program attracted a wide variety of performers and spectators.
Ottawa-area Japan-related cultural groups including the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA)/Ottawa Japanese Cultural Centre (OJCC), Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association (JETAA), Ikebana International, the Ottawa Bonsai Society, Camellia Teas of Ottawa, Takahashi Dojo, The Ottawa Japanese Language School, Manga and Temari set up booths to introduce their cultural displays. Visitors had a chance to see their exhibits and in some cases try some different activities such as origami, trying on kimonos and having their names written in Japanese calligraphy. Several local artists and groups also performed a variety of Japanese arts on stage to the delight of museum guests.
Along with Jean-Marc Blais, Vice President, Exhibitions and Programs for the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ambassador Ishikawa gave opening remarks to begin the program. He encouraged everyone to take advantage of the current exhibition "JAPAN: Tradition. Innovation." as it nears the end of its time at the Museum (October 10, 2011). He also remarked that many of the performers and organizations taking part in Japan Day contributed immensely to the relief efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and for this he reiterated his appreciation.
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