KARACHI – Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi organized “Japan Fest 2019” at Avari Towers in Karachi, with an attendance of more than 300 guests.
During the opening ceremony, Consul-General of Japan Mr. Toshikazu Isomura expressed his appreciation for the frequency of cultural interactions between Japan and Pakistan, bidding guests to enjoy the various aspects of Japanese culture and traditions on display.
Various Japanese cultural exhibitions were presented including ikebana (the art of floral arrangement), bonsai (the art of growing miniature trees), and origami (the art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures).
The program of Japan Fest 2019 started with the S?ran Bushi dance performed by the Karachi Japanese School, followed by a jiu-jutsu demonstration by the Pakistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The results of the art competition “Yoshi’s Iron Pencil Tournament” were announced thereafter and the winners awarded prizes.
This was followed by a wadaiko (Japanese drums) performance presented by staffs of the Consulate led by Deputy Consul-General Katsunori Ashida. The penultimate act was a Japan-Pakistan fusion fashion show in collaboration with the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, which showcased apparel designs from both cultures. Additionally, various activity booths were set up to share with guests both Japanese culture and food.
The main event of the evening was an enthralling performance by a Japanese orchestral triplet known as The Trio Zipang, comprised of Mr. Ayumu Takanabe on percussion; alto saxophone player Ms. Naomi Tabata, and Ms. Emi Kitagawa on the piano. The audience was captivated by the fascinating diversity of traditional Japanese music and the unique fusion of Japanese and Pakistani compositions, which culminated with a heartfelt rendition of “Dil Dil Pakistan.”
As the event came to a close, guests were treated to a live sushi demonstration by the Consulate chef, accompanied by a scrumptious buffet befitting of the venue. The merriment of the guests and the mixing of cultures was testament enough that Japan Fest 2019 went down as a night to remember.
