Opening of Warm Trees 2017 at the National Arboretum on 4th July 2017
2017/6/28
The Embassy of Japan and the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra will organise the opening of the WARM TREES installation that is open to the public from 11:30am at the Visitor Centre on Tuesday 4th of July.
Hundreds of crochet and hand-knitted cherry blossoms and scarves have been sent from all around Australia, and even as far as the UK. Contributors range in age from school aged children to the oldest volunteer at 104.
The centrepiece of the installation is a cascade of the largest knitted flowers in the world, located in the Yoshino Cherry Forest (Forest 17). This is where former Ambassador of Japan, Mr Takaaki Kojima, together with former Chief Minister Mr Jon Stanhope planted the first Yoshino cherry tree in July 2008. Furthermore, in 2011 this was repeated by the Mayor of Nara, Mr Gen Nakagawa, along with former Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, to plant another cherry tree in commemoration of the sister city relationship between Canberra and Nara.
Hundreds of crochet and hand-knitted cherry blossoms and scarves have been sent from all around Australia, and even as far as the UK. Contributors range in age from school aged children to the oldest volunteer at 104.
The centrepiece of the installation is a cascade of the largest knitted flowers in the world, located in the Yoshino Cherry Forest (Forest 17). This is where former Ambassador of Japan, Mr Takaaki Kojima, together with former Chief Minister Mr Jon Stanhope planted the first Yoshino cherry tree in July 2008. Furthermore, in 2011 this was repeated by the Mayor of Nara, Mr Gen Nakagawa, along with former Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, to plant another cherry tree in commemoration of the sister city relationship between Canberra and Nara.
The opening ceremony will include a performance of a well-known traditional Japanese song, Sakura, with a hichiriki (Japanese flute) and a digeridoo. Both are time-honoured instruments from two cultures.
Additionally a special display of stunning posters of popular cherry blossom places in Japan and a DVD screening of Virtual Trip Sakura will be presented in the Village Centre.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
More information: Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra
Additionally a special display of stunning posters of popular cherry blossom places in Japan and a DVD screening of Virtual Trip Sakura will be presented in the Village Centre.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
More information: Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra
