Japanese Doll Festival at the Balsam Centre

Who would have thought a traditional Japanese celebration is taking place at our local community hub, the Balsam Centre? The Japanese Playgroup South West UK is hosting the Japanese Doll Festival from 1.00pm to 3.00pm on Saturday, 28th of February.

Through this event, they are promoting UK-Japan friendship, inviting local artists to exhibit their artworks inspired by Japan and/or dolls (any type or nationality) alongside Japanese singing, origami and calligraphy workshops. There is something for everybody - particularly for those interested in Japanese culinary culture, there are Sushi demonstrations to satisfy eyes and taste buds!

Admission is free and donations are welcome. The proceeds from this event will benefit non-profit organisations of Fukushima Friends UK, the Balsam Centre and the Japanese Playgroup South West UK.

Artworks exhibition

There will be delightful British and Japanese artists’ pieces of work on display. Many of the items are for sale to support a good cause.

Please also visit the Children’s Exhibition corner where you can explore the creativity from younger generations.

Special Activities

1.00pm
Origami
Calligraphy

1.30pm, 2.00pm
Sushi demonstration

2pm
Singing workshop

About the Japanese Doll Festival

Doll Festival (also known as Girl’s Day) takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd month every year in Japan. In the Japanese language the festival is called “Hina Matsuri”.

Traditionally, families with daughters make a special display of “Hina” dolls and it is a way to pray that their daughters will grow up healthy and happy. On Girls’ Day, girls dress in their kimonos, and families visit each other to admire the displays. They often have a small party. Boys are their sister’s guests on this day.

The Hina dolls are dressed in the very elaborate outfits that Japanese people in the royal palace used to wear hundreds of years ago, and most doll displays have an emperor and empress doll. A very fancy display will have around 15 dolls arranged on seven levels, with the emperor and empress on the top.

About Fukushima Friends UK

Currently supporting about 200 children (UK and Fukushima, Japan) writing to one another and building friendships, we help them by finding them a partner school or a community group and translating their letters. We are a small group of friends from the UK and Japan who wanted to work for Children in Fukushima who have been in a difficult situation after the East Japan great quake disaster.

Visit their website:www.fukushimafriends.org.uk

About the Japanese Playgroup South West UK

A group of Japanese-speaking people live in and around Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire regions. The group members gathered for the first time at the charity event for the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The members regularly meet as a playgroup, encouraging their children to discover and explore their roots. The Japanese Playgroup South West UK welcomes Japanese and non-Japanese nationals who are interested in Japanese culture and wish to share fun time together. For details, please contact Maki at .

Maki Jay

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