The Nordrhein-Westfaelische capitol gets ready for Japan Day 2005. This big German-Japanese fair is an annual celebration taking place between Oldtown and Rheinufer.
Duesseldorf is a traditional epicenter for Japan in Europe. As for last year’s Japan Day, we are again expecting several hundred thousand people from far and away and naturally also the approximately 6,500 Japanese people who live and work in their chosen hometown Duesselfdorf.
Climax of the day will be a fireworks display (after approx 10:30PM) that is put together by Japanese fireworks artists for just that one day. These artists are installing and lighting all individual components of this colorful spectacle at Duesseldorf’s Rheinufer across of Oldtown.
Prior to the fire display at night, ‘Little Tokyo’, as Duesseldorf is being called quite frequently, turns into a part of Japan on Rhineland’s soil. Visitors refuel on specialties like Sushi, Sashimi or Tempura, and Samurai (from Duesseldorf) present pompous armor and weapons. In several booths Japanese guides offer opportunities for untrained German hands to practice Far Eastern arts like Origami or Shodo, the ‘Art of Writing’.
Kimono fittings, Ikebana, and Manga performances allow for further insight into everyday life in Nippon.
Equally artsy are the performances of Japanese sports. Judo, Karate, Jaido, Okinawa-Kobudo, Kendo, or Aikido are mesmerizing spectators over and over again. The electrifying Tentekko-drumbeats are always a highlight of the day. [more] |
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