OREANDA-NEWS. On 08 April 2009 was announced, that on the first warm April days the Japanese celebrate the festival of flower viewing, Hanami. Soon the Muscovites and guests of the city will be able to become familiar with ancient Japanese traditions. The first spring festival of Japanese culture will last for as long as the period of sakura blossom, for one week from April 14 till April 19. All the comers will be able to enjoy the view of blossoming trees and variability of national cultural heritage of the country of the rising sun.

According to the idea of the project organizer, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, National Union of Calligraphers and MVK International Exhibition Company the festival is going to represent all kinds of Japanese arts which are developing in Moscow due to the efforts of Russian amateurs of Japanese culture.

What adds certain extent of symbolism to the event is the fact that the “festival of spring” will be held in a unique two-storey pavilion erected by MVK International Exhibition Company in the green zone of Moscow. Ultra-modern, exquisitely and stylishly designed platform decorated in ethnic style will make a perfect platform for realization of all the planned events of the festival.

In the context of highly-topical festival programme the exhibition-comers will be able to visit the show of Japanese calligraphy, painting and applied art objects; become familiar with national kinds of art, Japanese cuisine and tea ceremony; learn more about the country and traditions of the Japanese at the educative lectures and seminars. Besides, the festival programme is going to include performances of creative teams, master classes, and retrospective of films about Japan and many other exciting events.

Festival “Sakura” is a non-profit, social and educational project held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Embassy of Japan in the Russian Federation, Department of Japanese culture “Japan Foundation”.