Japanese Culture Week

PANAMA. Aikido, Origami, Kimonos. enjoy them all during Japanese Culture Week, hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Panama to be held on March 7 – 15. All week long, the embassy will be offering a series of shows, workshops and movie screenings giving residents of Panama a window into life and culture in Japan.

But if the above mentioned artforms are all that comes to mind when thinking of Japan, look out for an introduction to contemporary forms of popular culture, such as anime (Japanese animation) and manga (comics and cartoons), which much like the traditional forms, provide not only entertainment but also an escape for contemporary Japanese from the problems of an industrial world.

On Saturday March 7, the week will be inaugurated at the National Library (Parque Omar) from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with performances of “Yosakoi” (Japanese typical dance), Kendo and “Aikido” (traditional self-defense technique), as well as a Kimono fashion show and a traditional tea ceremony.

These will be followed by Origami workshops, Japanese classes, Aikido practices, Go (traditional Japanese gentlemen’s game) workshops, and opportunities to try on kimonos after 2:00 p.m.

If you are unable to attend the Saturday event, fret not? the embassy has programmed additional Origami workshops and Japanese lessons on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the National Library from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

on Saturday March 7, the first of 9 movies (“Swing Girls”) will be screened at Teatro en Circulo at 7:00 p.m.

Other movies being screened throughout the week at the theater or Cinepolis are: “Doraemon, el gato cosmico y el pequeño dinosaurio,” “La Princesa Mononoke,” “Water boys,” “Venceremos algun dia,” “Mi Grandpa,” “El Rostro de Jizo,” “Album del Pueblo,”and “La Chica que Saltaba en el Tiempo.”

Although all screenings are free, tickets for “Doraemon” and “La Princesa Mononoke” need to be picked up at the Japanese Embassy on Calle 50 between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For a full list of movies, timings and locations, visit: www.panama.emb-japan.go.jp

To get the full experience of current Japanese culture, do not miss the Anime and POP culture event at the University of Panama on Saturday at noon. The embassy is holding a Cosplay (dressing up as a character in Japanese media) and a drawing contest. Attendees will also enjoy Anime documentaries, karaoke, video games, fashion shows, and Japanese pop music.

And again, it’s all free.

For more information, contact the embassy at: 263-6155.