When traveling around the world is affected by the pandemic, all Vilnius residents and guests of the city will soon be able to visit Japan. On August 29, the Island of Culture of the Country of the Rising Sun will be located and will operate for three weeks in its very heart - In the old town located in St. In the Church of the Virgin Mary the Comforter. NowJapan's twelfth festival is tighter, more focused and continues to surprise.
The Old Town area is charming
"It's nice to gather everyone in an unusual space - Ramintaja church. Its interior is a mixture of baroque and Soviet brutalism, as a warehouse was located there a few decades ago. It is probably the only church in Lithuania with an elevator shaft. Crumbled corners of old buildings, authentic architecture fascinates both us and the visiting Japanese", - explains the choice of the location, head of "nowJapan" Sergej Grigorjev.
The organizers reveal that the festival program often depends not on them, but on the enthusiasm of the visitors and the desire and enthusiasm of the creators. "We respond to the expectations of curious visitors, to the global situation and to the suggestions of developers. After a long search for a solution, this year we present three authors who interpret the reflections of Japan in their works in completely different ways. So, in a sense, visitors will have the opportunity to get to know the Land of the Rising Sun from three, completely different perspectives", - curator Shin Bo reveals this year's idea.
Works of various styles
For those interested in Japanese life and art, unique creators of this country will present their works under the church vaults. Kazuki Takakura is called a pixel genius - artist, illustrator, artistic director of the theater troupe "Hanchu-Yuei", curator of exhibitions, founder of the game studio "Studio Tokoyo". In his bright works, full of symbols, codes, and figures, he reflects the themes of today's culture - consumption, megapolis, Internet visuals.

New York-based Japanese illustrator Yuko Shimizu's very different works often start with pencil and paper, then travel through endless twists and turns of ink lines until the illustration is digitally colored. Frequent Japanese motifs, retro color schemes, ink line artefacts and comic compositions are the identity of her drawing. In Shimizu's work, she explores the themes of racial, cultural, and sexual identity, her works are also full of lightness and mysticism. In 2009, this fine art teacher was included in Newsweek Japan's XNUMX most famous Japanese people in the world, and she works with world-renowned brands such as Visa, Apple, Microsoft, Nike and others.

After the fine art works, the eyes will be soothed by the sophisticated collection of Japanese bonsai trees, the author of which is the Lithuanian Kęstutis Ptakauskas. Having come across literature about bonsai art in his youth, Kęstutis became infected with it for the rest of his life. Awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun with Silver Rays" by the Japanese government for his merits in spreading Japanese culture in the world, the man from Alyty will also talk about the cultivation and taming of bonsai, and will share his experience with others who are fascinated by these miniature trees. The art of bonsai is a millennia-old part of Japanese culture that embodies the ideas of balance, simplicity, and respect for nature.
Weekend in Japan
August 29-30 the festival will be opened by the familiar "Weekend in Japan". Green tea inn, craft workshops, Japanese Embassy booth and activities and of course contemporary art exhibitions.
Vision events free of charge The festival is organized based on all the safety requirements of the pandemic. Visitors are invited to keep a safe distance and wear face masks.