Sakura blossom party was held near the National Opera House of Ukraine
27/4/2018
On April 27 a sakura blossom party was held on the territory of the National Opera House of Ukraine, under the sakura trees planted in April last year. The event was hosted by Ambassador Sumi and his spouse. The reception was visited by Chief of Ukrainian National Police Serhiy Knyazev, Co-head of Deputy Group of Inter-parliamentary relations with Japan Leonid Iemets, First Deputy Minister of Culture Svitlana Fomenko, First Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Mykhailo Dashkevych, Director General of the National Opera House of Ukraine Petro Chupryna, TV show presenter Ihor Kondratiuk, Miss Ukraine 2016 and 2017 and others, 80 people in total.
During the greeting speech Ambassador Sumi expressed his gratitude for the guests’ participation in this traditional Japanese event. Ambassador Sumi spoke about the tradition in detail, explaining that all over Japan people look forward to sakura blossom, and when the sakura starts to bloom, everyone hopes that the blossom will stay as long as possible. During this short period many people go for cherry blossom viewing, sit down under sakura trees, sing and dance.
During the event one had the opportunity to listen to Japanese songs by a Ukrainian opera singer, enjoy the traditional Japanese shakuhachi flute performance, participate in a tea ceremony demonstration and taste Japanese sake and sushi. The guests had the chance to become acquainted with Japanese culture while enjoying cherry blossom viewing.
Sakura in full bloom
The grounds were full of people
Ambassador Sumi during the greeting speech
Japanese songs sung solo and traditional Japanese shakuhachi flute performance
Ambassador Sumi and his spouse with Miss Ukraine 2017
From left to right: TV show presenter Ihor Kondratiuk, Miss Ukraine 2016, Minister-Counsellor of the Japanese Embassy Harada Michio
Ambassador Sumi with his spouse, Co-head of Deputy Group of Inter-parliamentary relations with Japan Leonid Iemets (on the left), Misses Ukraine and others
The Ambassador’s Chef treats the guests with sushi
The Japanese sake corner
During the greeting speech Ambassador Sumi expressed his gratitude for the guests’ participation in this traditional Japanese event. Ambassador Sumi spoke about the tradition in detail, explaining that all over Japan people look forward to sakura blossom, and when the sakura starts to bloom, everyone hopes that the blossom will stay as long as possible. During this short period many people go for cherry blossom viewing, sit down under sakura trees, sing and dance.
During the event one had the opportunity to listen to Japanese songs by a Ukrainian opera singer, enjoy the traditional Japanese shakuhachi flute performance, participate in a tea ceremony demonstration and taste Japanese sake and sushi. The guests had the chance to become acquainted with Japanese culture while enjoying cherry blossom viewing.
Sakura in full bloom
The grounds were full of people
Ambassador Sumi during the greeting speech
Japanese songs sung solo and traditional Japanese shakuhachi flute performance
Ambassador Sumi and his spouse with Miss Ukraine 2017
From left to right: TV show presenter Ihor Kondratiuk, Miss Ukraine 2016, Minister-Counsellor of the Japanese Embassy Harada Michio
Ambassador Sumi with his spouse, Co-head of Deputy Group of Inter-parliamentary relations with Japan Leonid Iemets (on the left), Misses Ukraine and others
The Ambassador’s Chef treats the guests with sushi
The Japanese sake corner