The Principality will host a day of Japanese culture and creativity as Monaco celebrates 20 years of diplomatic relations with Japan. The event will take place on Saturday 21 March from 10:00 to 17:00 at the Japanese Garden Monaco and the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, offering a vibrant programme of performances, exhibitions and workshops for visitors of all ages.
The celebration begins with an exhibition dedicated to traditional Japanese craftsmanship, featuring Bizen-yaki ceramics and artisan works from Kyoto. At 11:00, the official ceremony will take place on the Grimaldi Forum esplanade with an energetic taiko drum performance by Wako Rising Sun.
The ceremony will also include a special dance performance by Mimosa Koike, principal dancer of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, accompanied live by the powerful rhythms of taiko drums. A second taiko performance will take place later in the afternoon at 14:30.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in creative workshops dedicated to Washi-Sakura, a traditional Japanese paper art inspired by cherry blossoms. Participants will create miniature bonsai-style arrangements using delicate washi paper blossoms placed on natural branches inside a glass vessel.
The workshops will be led by floral artist Michiko and designed by Eiji Tanaka. Two sessions are scheduled at 14:00 and 15:30. Each session lasts around one hour, is limited to five participants aged 10 and over, and costs €25, with participants able to take their creation home.
The event is organised by the Embassy of Monaco in Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Monaco and the Monaco Friends of Japan Association, celebrating two decades of cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries.