10 May 2006

Sister city celebrations bring a glimpse of Japan to Auckland city

Traditional Japanese dance performances, martial arts and a range of tasty Japanese food are a sample of what will be on offer at free Fukuoka Day celebrations in Auckland’s Town Hall on Saturday, 20 May.

Auckland City is inviting the city’s residents to come along for a glimpse of Japan at celebrations in honour of the 20th anniversary of Auckland’s sister city relationship with Fukuoka, Japan.

The celebrations will begin on Saturday morning from 10am with an official opening ceremony by the mayors of Auckland city and Fukuoka. A large delegation led by the Mayor of Fukuoka will visit New Zealand to attend the event.

The rest of the day’s celebrations, which will run until 4:30pm, include:

a Fukuoka food street selling a wide variety of Japanese food

traditional Japanese music from internationally acclaimed Fukuoka group “Ensemble Asia”

hands-on public classes by a master hakata doll painter from Fukuoka, with attendees taking home their own hand-painted doll

performances by local Japanese artists including taiko drumming, traditional dance, music and martial arts

kimono demonstrations

a variety of demonstrations including origami, bonsai, tea ceremony, flower arranging and calligraphy.

The event will be followed by a rugby match between the Fukuoka Fire Service and Auckland Fire Service rugby teams. The match, which the public are invited to attend, will be held at 10am on Sunday, 21 May at Western Springs.

Auckland City has sister city relationships with cities in Japan, Korea, Australia, China and the USA. The purpose of the relationships is to increase economic and cultural exchanges and to raise awareness between cities.

ENDS

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