From this Thursday to next Sunday, La Laguna will play host to ‘World Japan 2024’, a vibrant festival showcasing a diverse range of Japanese cultural activities. The event will be held at various locations across the city, including the historic Santo Domingo Convent, the Leal Theater, and The Casino restaurant. This year, the festival has the honour of being supported by the Japanese Embassy.
At a press conference today, the Councilor for Culture of La Laguna, Leticia Villegas, unveiled the festival alongside Inmaculada González, the vice-rector of Internationalization and Cooperation at the University of La Laguna (ULL), Morito Keiko, the director of the Japan Foundation in Madrid, Emi Shiota, the deputy director of the Japan Foundation in Madrid, and Tomás López-Perea Cruz, the director of Takeo Global (the event’s producer).
Leticia Villegas expressed, “We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment in La Laguna, a city known for its cosmopolitanism and educational institutions where diversity thrives. ‘World Japan’ is an invaluable opportunity for residents and culture enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the traditions, modernity, and rich cultural values, philosophies, and practices of Japan.”
Tomás López-Perea extended his gratitude to the City Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, and the Cabildo de Tenerife for their support in hosting ‘World Japan’ in such an iconic location, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He encouraged everyone to participate in the scheduled activities as a unique way to explore and appreciate Japanese culture. He emphasised the festival’s role in promoting and preserving Japan’s cultural heritage, fostering community cohesion, and nurturing an appreciation for traditional arts and customs.
This edition of ‘Japan World’ marks the first collaboration between the Japan Foundation in Madrid, a public institution under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the University of La Laguna (ULL), aimed at promoting and raising awareness of Japanese culture.
The festivities kick off on Thursday, March 21, at 12:00 p.m. with a press conference, the signing of the collaboration agreement, and the opening of the art exhibition ‘Monono Aware’ by Japanese artist Paul Hamanaka at the Exconvent of Santo Domingo.
At the exhibition, visitors will witness Hamanaka’s exploration of various stages of life, portraying moments and emotions such as joy, pain, nostalgia, loneliness, and fear. Each piece serves as a “haiku”, a poetic tribute to human resilience and acute awareness of existence.
Later in the day, the same venue will host a kimono workshop at 5:00 p.m., providing insights into the historical and social significance of the garment and basic oriental sewing concepts. This will be followed by a talk titled ‘Weaving my Identity: A Multicultural Perspective’ by Yukime López-Perea Morimoto, sharing insights on the unique blend of Japanese and European cultures based on personal experiences growing up in the Canary Islands with a Japanese mother and an English academic background. The day will conclude with a screening of the contemporary Japanese film ‘Papa no obento wa Sekaiichi/Dad’s Lunch Box’ by director Masakazi Fukatsu.
The second day of ‘Japan World’ will feature activities such as a tea ceremony workshop, a discussion on Japanese music through the ages, and an Ikebana (Japanese floral arrangement) workshop at the Exconvento de Santo Domingo. Limited spots are available for the Ikebana workshop, requiring advance registration.
On Saturday, March 23, the day begins with a Japanese gastronomy workshop by Nao Itagaki at the Casino de La Laguna restaurant at 11:00 a.m. This will be followed by a Martial Arts exhibition (Aikido and Karate) at the Anchieta Pavilion at 12:00 p.m.
In the evening, at the Exconvento de Santo Domingo, there will be a talk on ‘Shiatsu: An Ancient and Modern Therapy’ by therapist and Shiatsu teacher Mónica Guerrero. The event will also include a screening of the Japanese anime ‘Blue Giant’ at 6:00 p.m.
The highlight of the festival will be the ‘Morimoto Sisters to Tomodachi’ concert at Teatro Leal on Saturday, March 23, at 8:30 p.m. The duo, comprised of Satomi and Emiko Morimoto, will showcase a varied repertoire of music blending Eastern and Western influences from the 19th century to the present. The concert will feature special performances by dancer Ana Beatriz Alonso and aerial dance artist Rubén Adrián Fernández, director of the Vértice company, among others. Tickets for this captivating show are now available on Tickety.
Following the concert, a Sake tasting will be held at 10:30 p.m., offering a 15% alcohol content beverage derived from rice fermentation at Travel Bar. The day concludes with a session by Japanese DJ Akira Tanaka at 11:30 p.m. at Aguere Espacio Cultural.
On the final day of ‘Japan World’, Sunday, March 24, participants can engage in an origami and shodo (Japanese calligraphy) workshop at 10:00 a.m. at the Exconvento de Santo Domingo. An exhibition and manga art workshop, led by illustrator Zebenzuí Marrero, will follow at 11:00 a.m. The event will close with a J-Pop/Japanese Karaoke session at 12:00 p.m. at the Exconvento de Santo Domingo.
All activities are free except for the Morimoto Sisters concert on Saturday, March 23. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, except for the Japanese gastronomy and Ikebana workshops, which require prior registration.
