The Embassy of Japan welcomes Kutaisi city hall’s initiative to plant sakura trees to commemorate judo Olympic champion late Davit Khakhaleishvili who was born in this city. The Embassy has the honor to participate in the planting ceremony scheduled for 2 April, 12:00, to celebrate the opening of a circle of 50 Sakura trees (Nikea Street) in a memory of this extraordinary judoka. The Sakura trees will be planted near the Judo Sport School named after Mr. Davit Khakhaleishvili and will become a symbol of Japan-Georgia friendship on the occasion of 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

„Sakura trees, which is considered Japan’s national flower, is entwined in Japanese culture and history. When cherry blossoms bloom in Japan, people of every age and occupation gather under the trees for hanami” (cherry-blossom viewing): a time to admire blossoms and celebrate coming of the spring. This tradition can be traced back at least a thousand years. In fact, a “hanami” feast under the cherry blossoms is described in the 11th century masterpiece novel “The Tale of Genji.” It was not until the Edo period (1603 - 1868) that “hanami” as a pure pleasure became widespread among the common people as it is today.

Sakura trees and cherry blossoms are well known around the world for their radiant, delicate and transient beauty. Japanese people associated this transient nature of the blossoms with shortness of life and its preciousness. Because of this sakura trees are often planted with a prayer for calming the souls of the dead including those who died in the war and considered as a symbol of peace. As we witness the devastating war in Ukraine, these sakura trees will be planted also with a sense of solidarity of both Japanese and Georgian peoples with the Ukrainians who are experiencing this tragedy and with our prayers for ending the war immediately and restoring peace.

In a few years, these sakura trees will thrive, and we hope that the Georgians and the Japanese will sit together and enjoy“hanami” in Kutaisi with their colleagues, friends, and family members in the years to come.

Other events planned by the Embassy within the framework of the 30th anniversary include:

- On 25 January, art exhibition "St. Pirosmani" by HARADA Takehide was opened at the Pirosmani Museum in Tbilisi, which was planned until the end of March and going to travel around Georgia..

- On February 21, H.E. Imamura Akira, Ambassador of Japan, handed over the Japanese broadcast materials to the Georgian Public Broadcaster within the Japan Foundation Broadcast Content Introduction Project. Japanese TV programs “The World of BONSAI” and “Explore Japan” will be broadcasted on the Georgian Public Broadcaster “1st Channel”.

- On February 23, a video of on-line National Day Reception on the occasion of the 62nd Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, His Majesty Naruhito, as well as the 30th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Japan and Georgia is now uploaded on YouTube.

-In February, Japanese masterpiece novel “Makioka Sisters” (Sasameyuki) by Junichiro Tanizaki was published in Georgian language.

- From spring to autumn Japanese film festival in a Tbilisi movie theater as well as Japanese food exhibition “Love sushi” at the Georgian National Museum will be held.

- Depending on COVID situation artists from Japan plan to visit Georgia for piano concerts, Japanese traditional dance events, and collaboration performance of Japanese drums and Georgian ballet.

- Additionally, exhibition “Saint Pirosmani” of Japanise artist Takehide Harada will travel around Georgia throughout 2022 after the success in Tbilisi”, reads the press release spread by the Embassy of Japan.