Hayy Matsuri Festival Celebrates 70 Years of Saudi-Japanese Relations

Art Jameel has launched the second edition of Hayy Matsuri in Jeddah, celebrating 70 years of Saudi-Japanese relations. The festival features groundbreaking performances, workshops, and a cultural market, allowing for significant cultural exchange and engagement with traditions. Over 3,000 visitors attended on the opening day, showcasing the popularity and impact of this festival.

In Jeddah, Art Jameel has commenced the second edition of Hayy Matsuri, a cultural festival celebrating the confluence of Japanese and Saudi traditions. This festival, which runs until January 11th, commemorates the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. This year’s highlight includes performances by the Japanese music project Electronicos Fantasticos! and sound artist Daisuke Tanabe, who are collaborating with Saudi artists to create innovative audiovisual experiences that reflect on cultural memories.

On its opening day, the festival attracted significant attention, drawing over 3,000 visitors. Antonia Carver, the director of Art Jameel, emphasized the cultural exchange functions of the festival, attributing its importance to the longstanding relationship between the Jameel family and Japan, particularly through Abdul Latif Jameel Motors. The event aims to showcase Japanese culture in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating a remarkable enthusiasm for cultural integration.

Daisuke Yamamoto, the Consul General of Japan in Jeddah, accentuated the festival’s role in enhancing ties between the two nations, allowing Saudi society to engage with various aspects of Japanese culture and anticipating an increase in visitors following last year’s success. The festival activities range from traditional tea ceremonies and Ikebana flower arrangements to interactive workshops, encouraging attendees of all ages to engage creatively with Japanese cultural practices.

Additionally, a cultural market featuring over 30 vendors showcases a blend of local and Japanese creativity, allowing visitors to explore authentic products such as matcha and traditional Japanese snacks. Notably, Taiyo Matcha founders Anas Jeelani and Ai Nakamura launched their products, aiming to elevate the quality of matcha in Saudi Arabia.

Workshops like “Manga Drawing: The Hero’s Story” invite participants to explore Japanese art styles by crafting their unique stories, highlighting the festival’s educational aspect. Furthermore, Alliance Française Saudi Arabia has introduced a film screening and workshop focusing on French-Japanese cultural ties as part of the celebration. This cooperative venture seeks to highlight the intersections of French and Japanese artistic influences, enriching the festival’s multicultural framework.

Hayy Matsuri serves as a pivotal cultural festival that symbolizes the enduring diplomatic relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia, established over 70 years ago. This event provides a platform to explore and display the rich traditions, arts, and innovative practices characteristic of both cultures. By facilitating performances, workshops, and an interactive cultural market, the festival exemplifies the increasing cultural openness encouraged by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, fostering deeper connections between the local sentiment and Japanese influences.

The Hayy Matsuri festival exemplifies a significant cultural moment, merging Japanese and Saudi traditions in a vibrant celebration. With an impressive turnout and various artistic presentations, the event facilitates cultural exchange and educational opportunities, emphasizing the established diplomatic ties between the two nations. As Saudi Arabia continues to pursue cultural openness, festivals like Hayy Matsuri play a critical role in enhancing cultural appreciation and collaboration.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com