UA Sakura Festival Remembers Tornado, Earthquake with 2012 Theme of Reliance

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Capstone International Center will celebrate the 26th annual Sakura Festival in recognition of the Tuscaloosa tornado and the Japan earthquake with the overarching theme of shinrai, or reliance.

The Sakura Festival is held to honor the time of ohanami, or the viewing of the cherry blossoms, to remind us of the enduring nature of life.

In contemporary Japan, friends gather whenever the cherry trees, or sakura, blossom to celebrate and recognize friendship. Similarly, the festival reminds many in Alabama of fresh beginnings and the renewal of the spirit that comes with friendship.

The festival brings people to the University and Tuscaloosa throughout the month-long festival to celebrate Japanese culture through events and activities.

The schedule for the 2012 Sakura Festival includes:

Annual Art Contest at Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International

“Youth as the Catalyst for Change” is the theme for this year’s art contest. The contest is open to children from kindergarten through 12th grades from Narashino, Japan, Schorndorf, Germany, the Sunyani/Techiman region, Ghana, and all Tuscaloosa City Schools. The deadline is Feb. 24.

Sakura Art Contest entries will be displayed at University Mall in the Center Court beginning Feb. 29 and during Matsuri in the Mall. Each entry will fall under the elementary, middle school or high school category and will be recognized with awards for the first three places and honorable mention. Winning artwork may be selected to compete for cash prizes and national recognition in the 2012 Sister Cities International Young Artist Competition. For more information, contact Lisa Keyes at 205/343- 0100 or lykeyes@gmail.com.

Sumo and Samurai Japanese Woodblock Prints

The UA Ferguson Center Art Gallery featuring this exhibit will be open daily (with some time limits) from March 1-29; opening reception will be Thursday, March 8, from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit will feature Sumo and Samurai Japanese woodblock prints from the collection of Dr. and Mrs. William T. Price. For more information or to view the exhibit by appointment, contact Dr. Catherine Pagani at 205/348-9944.

Sakura Festival at the Children’s Hands-On Museum

Throughout the month of March, the Children’s Hands-On Museum will celebrate the Sakura Festival with special activities, displays and its Japanese House exhibit, an authentic replica of a traditional Japanese home. The CHOM creation station will offer the following Japanese-inspired art activities on each Saturday of the month (admission is charged):

Saturday, March 3 – Japanese Fans

Saturday, March 10 – Japanese Calligraphy Painting

Saturday, March 17 – Origami Samurai Helmets

Saturday, March 24 – Tissue Paper Cherry Blossoms

Saturday, March 31 – Origami Imperial Couple Dolls

For more information, contact CHOM at 205/349-4235 or www.chomonline.org.

Matsuri in the Mall

“Matsuri in the Mall” offers another opportunity for the Tuscaloosa community to experience Japanese culture on Saturday, March 3, at University Mall from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring a variety of cultural exhibits and performances. To see a complete list of activities, such as Bujinkan Taijutsu and Kumdo Sword Demonstration, visit Matsuri Activities. For more information about the performances or booth activities, contact Capstone International Center, 205/348-5256. 

The Haiku Contest

Alabama residents were eligible to submit in English; the deadline was Feb. 6. Capstone International Center will announce the winners.

JASA/ Birmingham Botanical Gardens Cherry Blossom Festival

Japan-American friendship will celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the cherry tree gift from Japan to Washington, D.C. The event will take place on Saturday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Participants are encouraged to wear cherry blossom themed clothing or yukata. Contact Tamara Moriya at 205/943-4730 or www.jasaweb.org.