After the success of the first two editions, the Quinzaine du Japon en Occitanie returns for a third, with a particular focus in the Cévennes.
The land of the Rising Sun and Occitanie have now established strong ties since the first edition of the “Japan Fortnight in Occitanie”. Thus, its third edition will take place from November 8 to 22, 2024. The Maisons de Ma Région in Alès and Nîmes will coordinate from November 6 to 23 the events “Japan invites itself to Cévenole land” and “Japan invites itself to Nîmes » in partnership with local stakeholders.
The main theme of this edition is “Silk, a thread stretched between Occitania and Japan”. For the occasion, numerous events will be offered to the general public. Between the world premiere screening of the Japanese documentary “Madame Soie Cévennes” on silk in the Cévennes, kimono exhibitions, martial arts demonstrations or even theatrical activities, Japanese games or the promotion of Japanese gastronomy, there should be something for everyone.
Thus, several key meetings were presented by the partners present, including regional advisor Aurélie Genolher. “Madame Soie Cévennes” will be broadcast in several cinemas in the region, in the presence of the director Mr. Sato, his interpreter and the vice-president of the Soie Cévennes association Michel Costa: November 7 at 8 p.m. at the village hall of Saint -Hippolyte-du-Fort, November 8 at 1:15 p.m. at the Jacques-Prévert high school in Saint-Christol-les-Alès (for high school students), the same day at 6:30 p.m. at the Sémaphore in Nîmes (first 50 places offered then 4 euros) or again on November 10 at 2:30 p.m. at Maison Rouge – Musée des Vallées Cévenoles in Saint-Jean-du-Gard.
The Musée de la Soi in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort will have a very special place in this fortnight. From November 5 to January 4, it will host an exhibition of kimonos “Japanese silk art” and various activities around this tunic. On November 5 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., November 7 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and November 8 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the museum can be visited in kimono, with a dressing session in “Isesaki meisen” (old kimonos that the students wore).
Yuichi Sugiyama, resident of Occitanie for three years, and president of the culture commission of the Quinzaine du Japon en Occitanie, hopes that this will attract a lot of people: “The Silk Museum attracts around 5,000 people per year, I hope we will reach as many people as possible!”he wishes. Aurélie Genolher affirmed that quite a few places had already been reserved, particularly for the events in Nîmes and Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort.
For foodies, the Marie-Curie vocational hotel school in Saint-Jean-du-Gard will offer a Japanese menu (25 euros) upon reservation on November 6 and 19 at 12:15 p.m. The Saint-Christol-les-Alès media library will host an exhibition of bonsai, discoveries of Japanese games and giant mikado, an introduction to Japanese Kobido massage, an Origami workshop and Kamishibaï (paper theater) readings.
Discover the full program HERE
