The Ireland Japan Association have put together a selection of cultural workshops for this years Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire on August 29th. The workshops will be held in various locations within The People's Park (see details below). If you would like to participate in any of these workshops, you must sign up on the morning of, at each venue directly.  All workshops are FREE OF CHARGE but spaces are limited - early booking is recommended (on the day) to avoid disappointment.

1. JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY & KIMONO DEMONSTRATION

Teens to adults
Presented by Ireland Japan Association

Experience a Japanese tea ceremony with local Japanese ladies all dressed in their Kimono, who will perform this delicate art of tea drinking. Each participant will sample "maccha", a bitter green tea used especially for tea ceremony, usually complimented with a very sweet Japanese cake known as "o-chagashi". A demonstration will also be given on how to wear the traditional Japanese silk kimono.
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2. Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging)

Presented & Sponsored by Ireland Japan Association

The art of arranging flowers Japanese style. The Ikebana instructor will talk the group through the principles of Ikebana before demonstrating 2 or 3 different arrangements. Group can then make their own Ikebana arrangement.

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3. Japanese Caligraphy

Teens - Adults
Presented by the Ireland Japan Association

Shodo is a specialised calligraphy used to write kanji (Japanese characters). Each character has a special meaning. After an introduction from a professional Japanese calligraphy teacher, try your hand at creating your own masterpiece. All materials provided.

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4. Japanese Go

Teens - Adults
Presented by Ireland Japan Association,

GO is a type of chess which dates back over 3000 years.  The rules have remained essentially unchanged throughout this very long period. Today it is widely played in Japan. This workshop will feature as part of the Mela games area. Introduced to you by The Irish GO Association.

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Fore more details on the festival, visit: http://www.festivalofworldcultures.com/