Hayy Matsuri: A Japanese Cultural Festival

 From January 9th to 11th 2025, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah, co-organized with Art Jameel, a cultural organization in Jeddah, the Japan Culture Festival “Hayy Matsuri” at the Hayy Jameel to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

 At the opening ceremony on the 9th, Consul-General Yamamoto gave a speech, saying that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and that the second edition of “Hayy Matsuri” is being held as part of the celebrations. He also said that over the past 70 years, the two countries had developed relations in the fields of energy, trade, science and technology, culture and that many Saudis welcome Japanese culture, and that the Consulate-General is also working to promote the Japanese language. He also mentioned to increasing the number of anime and manga fans and the number of Japanese restaurants in Jeddah.
 He said that “Electronicos Fantasticos!” and Daisuke Tanabe have been invited from Japan to “Hayy Matsuri”, and he hopes people will enjoy creative sounds both of them perform.

(1) The Japanese electromagnetic music collective, “Electronicos Fantasticos!”, who play “electromagnetic folk music” using musical instruments transformed from disused electrical appliances such as Cathode Ray Tube TVs, electric fans and barcode scanners, were invited from Japan to perform an open session of interactive communication with visitors, as well as a joint performance with Saudi Arabian percussionists. At the end of their session, they played “Tanko-bushi”, one of Japanese traditional bon dances. This performance heightened the sense of unity with the audience dancing the bon dance.

(2) Sound creator, Daisuke Tanabe was invited from Japan to perform his music and hold an open session, and he performed with Desert F!sh, a Saudi Arabian audio visual artist.
(3) In addition to the display of kimonos and hina dolls at the permanent table set up in the indoor exhibition hall, the Consulate-General of Japan showed various Japanese comic books, and videos introducing Japanese culture, which were well received by visitors. In addition, the consulate introduced Japanese culture through Ikebana, tea ceremony, Mochi-tsuki, Washoku such as mochi and Kushikatsu/Kushiage.
(4) The following diverse programs were also held, arranged by co-organizer Hayy Jameel
 

• Manga events
• workshops on Origami and poetry, Japanese bookbinding, shoji lamp
• Booths set up by Japanese culture enthusiasts, etc.

(5) Japanese films by director Koreeda Hirokazu and Shinkai Makoto and Ghibli films were screened daily at Hayy Cinema located inside Hayy Jameel during the festival. These films will continue to be screened at the Hayy Cinema until January 19th.