- Culture and Extension
Japan Weekend ULS considered a varied program of activities focused on Japanese culture
One of the three massive activities was the traditional Tea Ceremony, which was held in the Japanese Garden of La Serena, thanks to the constant collaboration of CAP Minería.
Conferences, workshops, cosplay contest, concert and tea ceremony were the detail of the extensive program presented in its 2019 version by the Japan Weekend ULS, an activity organized by the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the University of La Serena (DIVEULS ), in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Chile and the Chilean-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
More than 500 people were part of this usual approach in the month of January between the Coquimbo Region and Japanese culture, from their different areas of daily life. The program began with the conference "Japanese influence in the development of national video games", given by the designer and entrepreneur Cristian González, director of the video game company Iguanabee, who shared his experience on the subject and his achievements at the level. international.
Subsequently, the Cosplay Contest was held, an activity that in its VII version was a window for those people who dedicate time, work and financial investment to dress up as their favorite characters, this time only Japanese. The winners were: Antonia Estivales and Nataly García (honorable mention), Ayumi Katamisawa and Kata Ramos (second place) and Paloma Herrera (first place).
The next day was marked by the visit of the cultural attaché of the Japanese Embassy in Chile, Ko Takahashi, who gave the conference “Japan and Chile: fraternal and strategic cooperation.” In this regard, the cultural attaché highlighted: “I am quite impressed by the attendance at the activities and I am very grateful for this activity that has been spreading Japanese culture for many years (…) Almost all the activities are concentrated in Santiago, it is a concern that we have had since the Embassy, so the regionalization of Japanese culture is something very important for us.”
Subsequently, the conference “Japan through songs, festivals and its seasons” was held, given by the JICA volunteer at the University of La Serena, Ritsuko Kohara. The activity was attended by the Director of Human Resources of the ULS, Héctor Bugueño, who indicated that “rarely have I seen that in one hour the topics associated with a culture as complex as the Japanese are chosen so well and that it suits us all. the auditorium so clear. I would say that she was very intelligent in choosing essential topics of Japanese culture that we were able to learn today and that it is also an opportunity to give value to Japanese culture.”
The workshops aimed at the community were “Origami”, taught by Harumi Matsuzaki, and “Chigirie”, taught by María Cristina Pérez de Arce, both with full capacity and an excellent response from the community. To end the second day, there was a Japanese music concert by performers Mike Komilla (soprano) and Namie Kurokawa (piano).
Tea ceremony
To end the program, the traditional Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu) was held, a Japanese ritual that explains how to prepare green tea or matcha, in which a small group of guests participated in a quiet environment. This activity is presented at each end of Japan Weekend and is anticipated by the regional community, as it is a significant manifestation of traditional Japanese history and culture.
This final activity was carried out in the Japanese Park of La Serena, in collaboration with the Chilean Japanese Cultural Institute and CAP Minería.
Source: DIVEULS press