About Tokyo Asian Month:
Coinciding with the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21) Plenary Meeting to be held in Tokyo in November 2010, the ANMC21 has designated the months of October and November as Tokyo Asian Month.
Tokyo Asian Month will feature a broad mix of events introducing the varied cultures and traditions found throughout Asia, as well as its latest industrial technologies, providing a platform for the people of Tokyo to broaden their understanding of their neighbors in the region.
Many events that give some of the exposure to diverse Asian cultures and traditions are jammed.
From November 6th to 9th (Saturday-Tuesday), the Citizen's Plaza in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building will be the center of displays of Asian food, culture, and performances during the "Asian Network of Major Cities 21 Exhibition"! Everyone should be looking forward to this event. About Tokyo Asian Month:
Coinciding with the Asian Network of Major
Cities 21 (ANMC21) Plenary Meeting to be held in Tokyo in November 2010, the
ANMC21 has designated the months of October and November as Tokyo Asian
Month.
Tokyo Asian Month will feature a broad mix of events introducing the varied
cultures and traditions found throughout Asia, as well as its latest industrial
technologies, providing a platform for the people of Tokyo to broaden their
understanding of their neighbors in the region.
In this issue, we'll introduce the festivals held by Asian countries here in Tokyo.
Thai Festival 2010 (5/15-5/16, Yoyogi Park Event Space)
The largest Thai Festival in Japan. This was the eleventh gathering of the event, which displays tradition Thai culture and the positive relationship held between Thailand and Japan. Held on May 15th and 16th, the festival was a great celebration that attracted over 300,000 visitors across its two days. With the sunny weather of the 15th, the festival was packed even before the opening ceremony commenced at 11:00. You could feel the popularity of the festival just by looking around. Among many booths showing products of traditional Thai culture, the stand-out was the Thai food. The booths allowed visitors a chance to experience authentic Thai cuisine at a reasonable price.
Traditional Thai dances and other performances were exhibited on the event stage. Visiting Japan again after their appearance last year, the Anongnart Dance School is a dance school formed in 1998. Specializing in both traditional and modern Thai dance, they have brought Thai culture to a variety of locations overseas. While the group was waiting backstage to perform, we interviewed one of their dancers, Ms. Jeed.
Interview Anongnart Dance School Dancer, Ms. Jeed (15) from Bangkok
Ms. Jeed, a student from a high school affiliated with the dance school, told us she is visiting Japan for the first time. When asked whether the balance between her studies and dance is difficult, with her shy smile, Ms. Jeed excitedly answered that she enjoys studying not just traditional but modern dance as well. At this year's Thai Festival, despite her young age she impressed spectators with a powerful dance. Enjoying her brief stay here in Japan, she mentioned that she went shopping in Harajuku yesterday.
Ms. Jeed (Middle)
"I'd love for Japanese people to experience Thai food, our dance performance, and other Thai culture!"
The Anongnart Dance Stage
Vietnam Culture Tourism Festival (6/23-6/24, Tokyo International Forum)
Colorful traditional dance
The photo booth had a great atmosphere
Cute Vietnamese souvenirs
The festival commences with a lively dance set to traditional Vietnamese music. Everyone was spellbound by the traditional style of dress... when suddenly it was time for a colorful ao dai fashion show. With ao dai themed after Japanese beauty and others based on children's drawings, the designs glowed with originality.
The event was populated with many booths, such as the Exciting "Spring Roll Fast Roll Challenge," a booth where visitors could seem as if they were really in Viet Nam by being photographed in front of a xi cro backdrop, as well as a booth selling adorable Vietnamese souvenirs!
This year, Viet Nam celebrated the 1000th Anniversary of the founding of Hanoi, and there are many events planned in celebration in Viet Nam.
You'll want to keep your eyes open for all the exciting events going on there.
Indonesia Festival（7/10-7/11, Yoyogi Park Event Space）
Energetic live performance
On the first day of the festival, suitable to the theme of Green Living Indonesia, the overcast sky soon gave way to sunny weather. Within the verdant green of Yoyogi Park, the event stage was home to traditional dances and performances. Among the many booths selling appealing Indonesian goods, the most popular were the Indonesian food booths. Nasi goreng, mee goreng, Bintang beer... Enjoying Indonesian cuisine in the sunny weather was a priceless experience. We can't wait for next year's festival.
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