TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s 14th annual Sakura (cherry blossom) Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture and friendships, is scheduled for March 1-April 14.
The festival provides an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, a Haiku contest and other activities. The opportunity to win airline tickets to Japan will also be a feature this year.
The theme for this year’s festival is “kokoro” or heart. Variously translated as heart/mind/spirit/feeling, “kokoro” is a specifically Japanese concept that calls for expression and celebration of heartfelt moments between and among people of all ages and origins.
As in years past, the Sakura Festival is expected to attract people from around the Southeast. Although many events will take place on the UA campus, some activities will be held in the Tuscaloosa community and in Birmingham. Most events are free to the public.
In Japan, the Sakura Festival is a celebration of the blossoming of the cherry trees, recognizing spring’s renewal of the spirit of life and celebrating its beauty. UA’s Denny Chimes area boasts a spectacular view of blossoms on cherry trees made possible through a donation from a businessman in Tuscaloosa’s sister city of Narashino, Japan. Cherry blossoms can also be seen at the corner of University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, on trees donated by JVC America, and in the Narashino Grove, located off Lurleen Wallace Boulevard, developed with funds donated by the city of Narashino.
Sponsors of this year’s Sakura events include: Alabama Power Co.; Daikin America Inc.; JVC America Inc.; McCord Leakless Sealing Co.; Thermalex Inc.; Alabama Gas Corp.; Cooper/T. Smith Stevedoring Co. Inc.; Mitsubishi Polycrystalline Silicon America Corp.; Morgan County Economic Development Agency; Sony Magnetic Products; Japan-America Society of Alabama; Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission; The University of Alabama; Continental Airlines; McFarland Mall.
A schedule of festival events includes:
March 1–Second Annual Sakura Art Contest Deadline
Incorporating the theme of heart, the contest is open to children in grades 1-6. Any medium may be used on poster size paper. Judging takes place at “Matsuri in the Mall” on March 11. Entries of the art contest will be displayed in the center court of McFarland Mall on March 10-12. All information is available at 205/391-9200.
10th Annual Sakura Festival Haiku Contest
The Haiku Contest is open to Alabama residents of all ages and to friends of Alabama living in Japan and all over the world. With its theme of kokoro/heart, the haiku contest permits any poetic celebration of heartfelt moments between and among peoples of all ages and origins. Awards will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners in each of the following categories in both English and Japanese: elementary school students-grades 1-3, elementary school students-grades 4-6, junior and senior high school students and adults. The winning entries will be published in the yearly haiku brochure and the winners will receive cash prizes. More information and entry forms are available at 205/348-5312.
Sakura Festival Lecture Series
Begins March 1 with “Kokoro in Japanese History,” presented by Donald Smith, noon-1 p.m., Ferguson Forum Room, free admission. Call JCIC at 205/348-5311 for more information on other lectures.
March 1-March 31–Sakura Festival at the Tuscaloosa Children’s Hands-On Museum
Children are the kokoro of communities. From the intriguing Japan House exhibit to kimono doll bookmarks, the museum will offer a colorful celebration of Japanese culture emphasizing our common intrigue with cultural differences as well as commonalties. Visitors can try on traditional Japanese clothing, get their passports, and visit the Japan House, a replica of a modern Japanese Home. For more information, call CHOM at 205/349-4235.
March 3–Girl’s Day Celebration, Tuscaloosa Japan Culture and Information Center
Children of all ages are invited to celebrate Girl’s Day March 3 at JCIC from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Beautiful dolls representing the traditional Japanese royal court will be on display in the “tatami” room. Participants will also be able to enjoy delicious Japanese refreshments. Call the JCIC at 205/348-5311 for details.
March 8–Sakura Festival Lecture Series
“Spirit of Kimono” presentation and demonstration by Michelle Slagle, noon-1 p.m., Ferguson Forum Room. Call JCIC at 205/348-5311 for more details.
March 11–Matsuri in the Mall, McFarland Mall, Tuscaloosa
The matsuri, or festival, in the mall affords the opportunity to experience the heart and spirit of Japanese culture.
11-11:05 a.m.–Opening Ceremony — Greg Hagler
11:10-11:30 a.m.–Saxophone Music by Ryo Noda — The University of Alabama
Saxophone Studio
11:35-11:55 a.m.–Demonstration of Traditional and Modern Japanese Martial
Arts–UA Yoseikan Budo Club
Noon-12:20 p.m.–Okinawa Taiko — Okinawa Taiko
12:25-12:45 p.m.–Japanese Dance — Mai no Kai International Society
12:50-1:10 p.m.–Japanese Songs — Tuscaloosa Saturday School
1:15 -1:35 p.m.–UA Community Music School Suzuki Strings — Suzuki Strings
1:40-2 p.m.–Demonstration of Traditional and Modern Japanese Martial Arts–
UA Yoseikan Budo Club
2:05-2:25 p.m.–Okinawa Taiko — Okinawa Taiko
2:30-2:50 p.m.–Shinkendo/Traditional Japanese Swordmanship — International
Shinkendo Federation
2:55-3:15 p.m.–Japanese Dance — Mai no Kai International Society
3:20 p.m. — Closing Ceremony — Greg Hagler
Matsuri in the Mall–Booth Activities
Origami Corner — Japanese Students’ Association
Bonsai Display — Rector’s Bonsai Southeast Inc.
Ikebana Exhibit — Ikebana International
Information Booth — The Japan-America Society of Alabama
Japan Information Center — Consulate General of Atlanta
Traditional & Modern Japanese Martial Arts — UA Yoseikan Budo Club
Kimono Demonstration — Michelle Slagle
Calligraphy Corner — Japan Club
Display of Japanese Arts/Crafts — Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission
Yo-Yo Fishing — JVC Yo-Yo Family
March 14-“Heart to Heart” Luncheon with the Honorable Yasuo Saito, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta
The luncheon will be held at Indian Hills Country Club at 12:30 p.m. Consul General Yasuo Saito is the leading Japanese diplomat for this region. He first came to the United States as a teenager on a high school exchange program in New York. For tickets or more information call Byron Findley at 205/391-9200.
March 15-Sakura Festival Lecture Series
“Introduction to Bonsai” presentation by Andy Rector, noon-1 p.m., Ferguson
Forum Room. Call JCIC at 205/348-5311 for more details.
March 22-Sakura Festival Lecture Series
“International Friendship through Ikebana” presentation by Frances Geddes
(Korei), noon-1 p.m., Ferguson Forum Room. Call JCIC at 205/348-5311 for more details.
April 6-Western Heart/Japanese Art Opening Reception
The April art exhibit will debut at the Opening Reception on April 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Northport’s Renaissance Art Gallery. The art exhibit features drawings and paintings by Rory Golden, who spent most of 1999 in Chiba, Japan on a Japanese Ministry of Education Research Scholarship. The works presented in the show express Japanese visual ideas, such as the use of pattern and color, interpreted by an American artist. Many of the works are done on large sheets of “washi,” Japanese hand-made paper. For more information, please call 205/752-4422.
April 14-Sakura Festival Recognition Banquet
The banquet will be held at North River Yacht Club at 6:30 p.m. The evening will conclude the festival’s activities. The Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission will present the Garner International Friendship Award in honor of former UA C&BA Dean Paul Garner. Continental Airlines will also award two round-trip tickets to Japan to UA faculty/staff who make application for them. Sakura Festival Haiku Contest winners will be awarded, and Koto will be played by Laurie Arizumi.
For more information about the festival events, call the UA Japan Program at 205/348-5312.
Contact
Carin Charles or Linda Hill, Office of Media Relations, 205/348-8325
Source
Dr. Marilyn Emplaincourt, director UA Japan Program, 205/348-5312