HANAMI Festival 2024: Celebrating the Blossoming of the Japanese Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan'_24-04-2023_2.jpg

dr. Kristjan Jarni, UL BF

Event date:

Event location: Dendrološki vrt UL BF

Event tag

  • UL BF

Hanami is Japan's biggest and oldest festival, embodying the tradition of enjoying the fleeting beauty of the blossoming of Japan's natural and cultural symbol – the Japanese cherry tree. This year, the Faculty of Biotechnics of the University of Ljubljana (UL BF) is organising the second Hanami Festival in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan and the Department of Asian Studies of the Faculty of Arts of UL. This year's event celebrating the symbol of peace and coexistence of cultures will take place on 18 April 2024, at 15:30, at the Dendrological Garden of the UL BF. Pre-registration is required.

This year's event will again be dedicated to expert lectures, workshops and socialising to learn about and celebrate Japanese traditions and culture.

Prof. Dr. Robert Brus from the Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources of the UL BF will present the tree species of Japanese gardens, Prof. Dr. Valentina Schmitzer from the Department of Landscape Architecture of the UL BF will take participants and participants on a walk through the outstanding gardens of Japan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robert Brus from the Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources of the UL BF will give a presentation on Japanese gardens, Assoc. Dr. Nagisa Moritoki Škof from the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, UL (UL FF) will present the historical, cultural, nutritional and aesthetic aspects of the obenta - the boxed lunch - that children in Japan take to school.

The expert part will be followed by workshops for exchange students from Japan and students from the Department of Asian Studies of UL FF. The workshops will be aimed at learning about Japanese traditions and culture related to the celebration of the Japanese cherry blossom.

Traditionally, bring blankets to enjoy the cherry blossoms on. You are also welcome to enjoy a picnic experience with snacks.

Sign up here.

Event programme

15.30–16.00 Registration of participants

16.00–16.10 Opening speeches

  • Prof. Dr. Marina Pintar, Dean of UL BF
  • Mrs. Yoshida Akiko, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan

16.10–17.00 Expert part

16.15–16.30 Tree species of Japanese gardens

  • Prof. Dr. Robert Brus, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, UL BF

16.30–16.45 A walk through the remarkable gardens of Japan

  • Prof. Dr. Valentina Schmitzer, Department of Landscape Architecture, UL BF

16.45–17.00 Obento (lunch-box or lunch in the box) through historical, cultural, nutritional and aesthetic perspectives

  • Associate Professor Dr. Nagisa Moritoki Škof, Department of Asian Studies UL FF

17.00 Workshops on Japanese tradition and culture, socialising and cherry blossom watching