The International Friendship Foundation/IFF, a not-for-profit organisation based in Tokyo, has chosen Torino to celebrate the 43rd edition of the Japan Week from 19 to 25 October 2018.
The international event, organised by IFF in collaboration with the City of Torino – Mayor’s Cabinet, International Relations and European Projects, offers the opportunity to citizens and visitors to discover Japanese arts and culture.
The Japan Week is held every year in a different city and wishes to promote friendly relations, mutual understanding and peace through culture and art. Its fully packed programme includes theatre performances, fashion shows, visual arts, concerts, exhibitions, workshops, tea ceremonies and exchange programmes.
The week devoted to the Land of the Rising Sun starts on 19 October 2018 in Piazza Castello, at 4pm, with a public ceremony attended by Japanese and Italian authorities, followed by calligraphy, dance, drums and samurai performances.
The whole week, covering several aspects of the Japanese culture, includes different events and engages around 60 groups staging dance, music, craft, ikebana and origami exhibitions, samurai, taiko drums, kimono and koto music shows.
The Museum of Oriental Art will host workshops and demonstrations while the Piccolo Regio Puccini will feature stage performances and concerts . Visitors and citizens will have the opportunity to participate in traditional tea ceremonies held in the wonderful Guard Room of Palazzo Madama.
On the final 25 October evening, the Piccolo Regio Puccini will host several performances including a concert of Japanese and Italian musicians overcoming language barriers with music and friendship.
Some cultural exchanges will take place as full part of the Japan Week programme: the Japanese artists will visit schools, elderly care centres and disability day care centres, sharing with them the Japanese arts and culture through workshops and demonstrations.
Entrance to these events is allowed only to students/users of each facility.
The full programme is available on line
All events are free of charge and with free entrance
The activities scheduled at Palazzo Madama and Piccolo Regio Puccini are subject to registration (limited seats)
