The event will kick off with the Lacquer painting exhibition “MICROCOSMOS x MACROCOSMOS - Hoi An, Where I live between two cosmoses -” by Japanese artist Saeko Ando at the Japanese Culture Gallery (06 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai street). The exhibition will be open to the public from July 25 to August 27, 2023.
On event days in Hội An, artistic and cultural activities will take place, such as the Vietnam - Japan art exchange featuring Yosakoi dance, modern dance, Bon dance, masquerade,... In particular, the Anison music show will take place at 19:30 on August 4, 2023 in An Hội sculpture garden. The show will feature songs from popular Japanese animes performed by Japanese singers Matsumoto Rica - a famous vocalist who voiced the character Satoshi and sang the theme song in the anime ‘Pokemon’, and Sofia - a famous Idol Champion in Japan.
On August 5, 2023, there will be activities including the Boat race “Hội An, Japan and tourists” on the Hoài river, the Re-enactment of the Wedding procession of Princess Ngọc Hoa and Japanese merchant - Araki Sotaro. Especially, there is the Japanese flower arrangement instruction with artist Endo Yuko - the founder of the Ikebana school. She will complete work to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan and introduce it to locals and visitors at this event.
Especially, the opening ceremony of the 19th “Hội An - Japan Cultural Exchange” will take place at 19:30 on August 5, 2023 in An Hội sculpture garden, with the special art program to show the deep exchange relationship between Hội An and Japan. It includes the Performance of the opera excerpt “Princess Anio” with the scenes “The sentiments of Lord” and Aria “Why can't I leave my child” by famous Vietnamese opera artists like Đào Tố Loan, Bùi Thị Trang, Đào Mác and Nguyễn Huy Đức; along with the Kendo performance, special art performances by Hội An art troupe, singer Phạm Đình Thái Ngân, YouTuber Akari Nakatani, singer Vietnam Kun, Kolme group from Japan, etc.
On August 6, 2023, there will be activities such as the Picture drawing “Hội An children with Japanese culture”, the Cosplay Contest in which participants will dress up as characters from Japanese animes and mangas. And the Art exchange - Farewell will take place at 19:30 with community activities and the Aikido performance, promising to leave artists, spectators, and tourists with unforgettable emotions.
From August 4 to 6, 2023, there will be entertainment activities as well as cultural and culinary exchanges, such as the Exhibition of documentary photos about the friendly cooperation relationship between Hội An - Japan, the Wood carving exhibition “Hội An ancient trading port” by artist Lê Ngọc Thuận, the Tempera Art exhibition by artist Ami Yasugahira, Japanese calligraphy demonstration by the artisans from Sakai city, Origami paper folding, Yukata rental service, Japanese animes, mangas, and accessories booths, Hội An farmers market, and Vietnamese - Japanese culinary space with specialties in An Hội sculpture garden. These will undoubtedly provide tourists with a fascinating experience.
Through 19 times of the organization, Hội An - Japan cultural exchange is considered to have created a space full of humanity and creativity in which people from the two countries, as well as people who love the cultures of Hội An and Japan, can meet, exchange, and together strengthen friendship. The event's activities are always focused on traditional folk art materials and the two countries' typical cultural interaction. The festival regularly features traditional art troupes, artists, and singers from Japan as well as Hội An's traditional art troupe who exchange and perform for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. Besides, activities to experience the traditional cultures of Japan and Hội An - Vietnam are always organized, such as Tea ceremony demonstration, Ikebana flower arrangement instruction, calligraphy, Origami paper folding, craft demonstration and craft product introduction,… That is clear proof of the process of international cultural interchange, which has been a feature of Hội An from the past to the present. Traditional cultural and artistic materials along with appropriate creativity are always central to performances. It is the foundation for preserving and developing local folk art, as well as the basis for Hội An's application dossier to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Moreover, annual events in Hội An are always focused on communication about environmental protection which receives attention from both Hội An and Japan.
In addition, activities such as “Green corner”, “One hour for a cleaner Hội An”, “Three Rs of waste management - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”,… are always included in the program through each organization. This is also the criterion for building “Hội An - An Ecological-Cultural-Tourism city”, as well as promoting green factors to protect the environment in order to affirm the brand of Hội An - A green tourism destination through each activity and event organized by the city.
Hội An is a land with many typical historical values, as well as a place showing diverse cultural interference. Especially, during the period when Hội An was an international commercial port, Japanese merchants came and left the cultural imprints here, which created the premise for the intimate connection relationship that exists today between Hội An in particular, Vietnam in general and Japan. This year's “Hội An - Japan Cultural Exchange” has great significance. It is an opportunity to introduce and honor traditional cultures, enhance mutual understanding, and affirm the strong relationship between Vietnam and Japan while also attracting tourists to Hội An - a city with a long history, convergence and absorption of international cultures while retaining the local traditional beauty.
(Please see the attached event schedule)
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For more information, please contact: The Center for Culture, Sports, Radio and Television, Hội An city
Address: Sông Hoài Square - 01 Cao Hồng Lãnh street
Tel.: 0235.3861327 or 0912358005 (Mr. Ngọc Minh)
Email: trungtamvhtthoian@gmail.com, Fanpage: Visit Hoi An
Website: www.HoiAnWorldHeritage.org.vn - www.HoiAnCreativeCity.com