The 14th Canberra Nara Candle Festival
2016/11/21
On 29th of October, the 14th Canberra Nara Candle Festival was held at Canberra Nara Peace Park.
This festival is an annual celebration of the Canberra Nara Sister City relationship organised by the ACT government and is based upon a candle festival in Nara City. Various elements of Japanese culture were introduced throughout the venue through performance of gagaku, koto and didgeridoo and demonstrations of Japanese martial arts, and about 2,000 candles were lined up in the park. Ambassador Sumio Kusaka and Mr Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the ACT lit the lantern located in the Peace Park following their respective official greetings on the main stage (Ambassador Kusaka’s speech text).
At the Embassy of Japan marquee, we gave visitors the opportunity to experience Japanese culture with calligraphy, origami, yukata dress-up, water balloon fishing and kendama as well as a special calligraphy performance by the professional calligraphy artist, Ren.
Approximately 15,000 people attended the Festival, enjoyed Japanese Culture and deepened their own understanding of Japan.
This festival is an annual celebration of the Canberra Nara Sister City relationship organised by the ACT government and is based upon a candle festival in Nara City. Various elements of Japanese culture were introduced throughout the venue through performance of gagaku, koto and didgeridoo and demonstrations of Japanese martial arts, and about 2,000 candles were lined up in the park. Ambassador Sumio Kusaka and Mr Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the ACT lit the lantern located in the Peace Park following their respective official greetings on the main stage (Ambassador Kusaka’s speech text).
At the Embassy of Japan marquee, we gave visitors the opportunity to experience Japanese culture with calligraphy, origami, yukata dress-up, water balloon fishing and kendama as well as a special calligraphy performance by the professional calligraphy artist, Ren.
Approximately 15,000 people attended the Festival, enjoyed Japanese Culture and deepened their own understanding of Japan.
 Ambassador Kusaka delivering his speech |
 Smoking ceremony by Mr Duncan Smith of the Ngunnawal tribe |
 Ms Satsuki Odamura (koto), Mr Yukihiro Doi (dance) and Mr Robert Slockee (didgeridoo) |
 Embassy marquee (calligraphy, origami, yukata dress up, water balloon fishing and traditional toys) |
 Ambassador and Mrs Kusaka at the Embassy marquee |
 Origami booth |
 Ambassador Kusaka and Mr Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the ACT lighting the lantern |
 Lantern and candles |