Japan Cultural Days Attracts Over 200k Visitors at Ithra
The cultural performances offered visitors a unique opportunity to explore and delve into the Japanese arts, traditions as well as contemporary culture.
On the sidelines of the event, Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Morino Yasunari visited the exhibitions, engaged with artists and cultural representatives, and underscored the significance of boosting cultural ties between the Kingdom and Japan.
Activities for all Ages
To amuse all ages with interactive experiences, the program boasted a vast array of activities for both children and adults.
For families, the event provided several experiences such as hands-on craft workshops, traditional calligraphy, origami and manga drawing sessions.
As for younger visitors, they participated in storytelling sessions featuring Japanese folktales and legends.
Japanese Drumming Performances
The long-awaited performances were Drum Tao, the globally renowned Japanese drumming ensemble famous for its captivating stage presence and theatrical performances.
Through an extraordinary blend between traditional taiko drumming and modern choreography and lighting effects, the performances captured audiences with a stunning spectacle.
Apart from this, the program featured a metaverse experience in Ithra's plaza allowing visitors to delve into virtual Japanese markets and cultural celebrations.
Literature & Anime Sessions
The festival also amused literature and anime enthusiasts with engaging sessions on Japanese literature with references to notable authors like Haruki Murakami.
Musical Performances
In addition, the program involved several musical performances ranging from the meditative tones of the shakuhachi flute to high-energy drum ensembles.
Culinary Experiences
To provide comprehensive experiences and an integrated image of the Japanese culture, visitors enjoyed Japanese dishes, exploring their culinary traditions.
The program also highlighted other activities to fully immerse visitors into Japan's culture and traditions through other unique experiences.
Related Topics:
Japanese Vintage Car Exhibition Draws Visitors at Ithra
Ithra Hosts Screening of Japanese Film 'One Cut of the Dead'
Japanese Event Amuses Saudis with Tourism Offerings, Attractions
Short link :
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
14 hours ago
- Arab News
Maya Waked on music, identity, and her upcoming Dubai show
RIYADH: Lebanese-Canadian singer, songwriter, and genre-defying performer Maya Waked is celebrated for her evocative reinterpretations of classic songs and emotionally rich originals, blending nostalgia with modernity in a voice shaped by her multicultural heritage. Ahead of her anticipated performance at Dubai's Zabeel Theatre this November, she spoke to Arab News about her creative journey and cultural identity. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ 'I take pride in taking the road less travelled by. I've always taken an unconventional approach within my art and like to challenge social boundaries,' Waked said, noting that genre-defying music allows her to explore sounds and themes without limits. Her songs capture the joie de vivre — the joy of life — even when tinged with nostalgia. 'I express love, longing, and hope, especially from the perspective of someone living in a multicultural city like Dubai.' She envisions her upcoming show as 'a warm, emotional celebration,' adding: 'I hope the audience laughs, cries, sings, and dances, just like we do at any Lebanese gathering.' Being trilingual shapes her music deeply. 'Arabic adds depth and poetry, French lends romance, and English gives a modern edge.' She began her career by reinterpreting 1980s Lebanese songs she loved, aiming to give them fresh life. 'I'm also drawn to timeless melodies — anything that people hum as soon as the first note plays.' Her audience is primarily aged 30 to 50, often Lebanese and Middle Eastern expats, although her music also resonates with non-Arabic speakers. 'Despite the challenges of balancing my personal and artistic life, I've learned that adversity often fuels meaningful art.' Looking ahead, Waked hopes to keep performing and producing, and dreams of singing in Beirut — the heart of her song 'Helmi Ghanilak Bi Beirut.'
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Wearing a thobe on stage, Saudi artist ZezO redefines what global rap can sound and look like
RIYADH: Zeyad Al-Saadi, better known as ZezO, is not just a name in the Saudi music scene. A molecular and cellular biologist by training, he is an artist whose work blends culture, creativity and determination. 'Music has always been my escape,' he told Arab News. 'It's a way to express what I can't put into words.' Born in Saudi Arabia, Al-Saadi moved to Arizona at 15. 'Living in America helped me see the world through a different lens, but my Saudi roots have always grounded me,' he said. Over the next 12 years, he immersed himself in American culture while holding tight to his heritage. His life changed in 2005. After finishing a biology exam early, a classmate from Iraq invited him to a recording studio. 'That day changed everything for me,' Al-Saadi recalled. 'I walked into a recording studio for the first time and felt a rush like never before.' Zeyad Al-Saadi sees huge potential in the Kingdom's emerging music scene. By nightfall, he had recorded his first song, rushed to buy basic gear, and started teaching himself rap and audio engineering. The spark had been there for years. 'Since 1998, I've been captivated by the lyrical brilliance of legends like Rakim, Eminem and Nas,' he said. 'They shaped my style and pushed me to find my voice.' His sound now fuses traditional influences with modern beats. As a Saudi artist in a predominantly Western rap scene, he is sometimes underestimated: 'When people hear 'Saudi,' they often put me in a box. They don't expect someone from here to rap, let alone be good at it.' This assumption— that if it's not coming from the West, it can't be real hip-hop— fuels his passion. He wears a thobe not just to represent his roots but to challenge stereotypes and prove that talent has no borders. 'Saudi Arabia has a voice, and we're just getting started.' Saudi Arabia has a voice, and we're just getting started. Zeyad Al-Saadi, Saudi rap artist Al-Saadi sees huge potential in the Kingdom's emerging music scene. 'There's a hunger and creativity everywhere. I'm always open to collaborating with artists who bring something fresh to the table,' he added. For the rap artist, music is about learning from each other and growing the scene together. He actively seeks out new artists, keen to explore how their styles can complement his own. Staying connected with his audience is crucial for Al-Saadi, especially given cultural differences. 'Music cuts through everything — language, background, nationality. When you're honest in your lyrics, people connect,' he explained. His commitment to staying true to his roots deepens that connection, allowing him to resonate with fans from diverse backgrounds. 'I think my authenticity is what draws people in.' Social media plays a significant role in promoting his music and message: 'It's changed the game for artists like me. I can drop a verse today, and someone in Brazil might hear it tomorrow.' The global reach has led to unexpected moments, such as being recognized by American fans at Riyadh airport. 'They had been listening to my music and wanted to know more about my culture. We ended up having a meaningful conversation that turned into a lasting friendship,' he said. It's no surprise that for Al-Saadi, music isn't just personal expression. It's a bridge. As he pushes forward, he is determined to open doors for the next generation of Saudi artists. 'Being Saudi is not a limitation; it's a strength ... We have so much to share, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes us.' ---------------- LINKS FOR ONLINE
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Men Without Women'
Author: Haruki Murakami Haruki Murakami's 'Men Without Women' is a poignant and masterfully crafted collection of short stories that delve into the loneliness and disorientation experienced by men after the women central to their lives have departed. It was published in English in 2017, translated from Japanese by Phillip Gabriel and Ted Goossen. As the title suggests, each narrative explores a man grappling with absence. We meet Kafuku, an actor dissecting decades of grief and his wife's infidelity during introspective taxi rides; Kitaru, who inexplicably asks his friend to date his girlfriend; and Dr. Tokai, a commitment-phobic surgeon shattered by unrequited love for a married woman. Elsewhere, Habara, confined indoors, finds enigmatic connection with his housekeeper; Kino flees his collapsed marriage only to face uncanny visitations in his bar; and a man undergoes a surreal reversal — transformed from insect to human — in a direct homage to Kafka's Gregor Samsa. Each protagonist carries a palpable void, that missing jigsaw piece in their heart. Murakami's genius lies in his acute observation of fragility in the human spirit and the unpredictability of emotions. Themes resonate powerfully: paralyzing grief, the sting of unreciprocated love, and the suffocating safety of chosen isolation. His prose seamlessly blends the mundane with the surreal, creating a hypnotic atmosphere that immerses readers in these internal landscapes. The collection flows with remarkable cohesion. While undeniably melancholic, 'Men Without Women' is a moving exploration of love, loss, and the haunting silence that remains. Murakami compels readers to undertake the difficult task upon which Kafuku reflects: to look inside their own heart as perceptively and seriously as possible, and to make peace with what they find there. A must-read for insights into solitude's weight.
