August 4, Saturday
The day will begin with the main event of any Natsu Matsuri in Japan—bon odori dance. Visitors can learn the dance from acclaimed dancer and teacher Mao Aska by Yagura Stage. The first bon odori will begin at 12:30, and at 16:15 Mao Aska will give an open master class in Japanese traditional dance at Garage Atrium. At 18:30 visitors can dance bon odori at Yagura Stage with famous teacher Midori Yamada.
A special event of this year’s festival is awa odori—a type of bon odori dance, which will be performed by the popular Japanese Kikusui Ren collective to the accompaniment of traditional Japanese instruments. One of the oldest dance collectives in Japan, Kikusui Ren was formed over half-a-century ago and is part of Koenji Awa Odori association. It is very active on the international scene and will be visiting Russia for the first time. On Saturday and Sunday they will lead spectacular processions in Gorky Park and give open master classes in awa odori.
Also on Saturday, Nobushi drumming group will offer visitors a chance to get acquainted with the unique drumming technique and authentic sound of Japan’s Kyushu Region. Traditional drumming is an integral part of any Japanese summer festival, announcing the start of festivities and parties.
At the traditional Yukata Beauty Contest, participants will show the beauty and elegance of Japanese summer kimonos, and a Japanese jury will choose the winner.
Children can take part in a traditional toy and ornament workshop at Garage Screen Summer Cinema, making Koinobori paper carps, bookmark dolls and writing wishes on tanzaku paper.
The evening film program will introduce visitors to the best pictures of Japanese avant-garde. The program will start at 20:15 with Thermae Romae.
The first day will finish with the screening of The Cherry Tree with Grey Blossoms at Summer Cinema.
August 5, Sunday
On Sunday guests will once again have a chance to dance bon odori around Yagura Stage with Mao Aska, while Kikusui Ren collective perform an awa odori dance, give master classes and take guests on a colourful procession of Gorky Park to the accompaniment of traditional Japanese instruments.
One of the main events of this day is the fair—a talent show inspired by Japanese culture.
Pushkin Museum expert Aynura Yusupova will give a lecture on traditional Japanese wood engraving of the 18th and 19th centuries.
At Garage Square, visitors can take part in workshops in origami, manga, Japanese language and traditional games go, shogi, kendama and mahjong; watch performances by sumo wrestlers, kendo fighters, and other martial artists; and enjoy a mini concert of shakuhachi flute and guitar.
Nobushi group will give a drumming master class at Yagura Stage in the daytime, and a performance at Summer Cinema in the evening.
Meanwhile, Doctoral candidate in History, associate professor at the HSE Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies and researcher at RANEPA’s School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities Stepan Rodin will give a talk about life in Japanese cities at Garage Auditorium.
The day will end with a screening of Carmen's Innocent Love and a closing event.
J-FEST is an annual event initiated by Russian and Japanese companies with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Russia. In 2018, the Festival is organised in collaboration with Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and supported by Gorky Park.
J-FEST Summer 2018 is organised by the Embassy of Japan in the Russian Federation, Center of Japanese Culture J-FEST, Hakuhodo Rus and Japan Art Rainbow. General Sponsor: International Chodiev Foundation.
