Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 1 to 3 August, Tashkent will host the “Days of Japanese Culture,” organized by the Ikuo Hirayama International Caravanserai of Culture in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Uzbekistan, the Uzbekistan-Japan Center, and the Urasenke Tea Group. The event aims to promote Japanese culture, strengthen cultural ties, and foster mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

The official opening ceremony will take place on 1 August at 5:00 p.m. in the main exhibition hall of the International Caravanserai of Culture. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan, Mr. Hatori Takashi, will deliver welcoming remarks. The program will also feature a performance by students of the dutar course at the Uzbekistan-Japan Center under the direction of Professor Ruzibi Khodjaeva of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan.

The “Days of Japanese Culture” will feature an extensive program, including exhibitions of Japanese woodblock prints Kabuki Theater Actors and Masks of Noh Theater, a collection of Japanese food replicas, displays of tea ceremony utensils, traditional kimonos and obi belts, as well as a photo exhibition on Japanese cuisine. The exhibitions will remain open until August 10. Guests will also enjoy screenings of Japanese anime and the feature film Koshien Photo Contest: Half a Second Summer.

Special attention will be given to workshops on traditional Japanese arts and crafts such as origami, painting and making Noh masks and Daruma dolls, sakura drawing, amigurumi toy knitting, and sashiko embroidery. The program also includes Japanese tea tasting with sweets, a traditional kimono demonstration with a photo session in a happi coat, as well as interactive national Japanese games.