With umbrella, charm and kimono: the cherry blossom festival also celebrates Asian culture
Photo: INES MEIER/PROMO
By Stefanie Hofeditz
The Japanese call it sakura, we say cherry blossom. But everyone is happy about the beauty and the scent of the flowers. In Marzahn, the cherry blossom festival – Hanami in Japanese – is celebrated on Saturday and Sunday.
Incidentally, the lush cherry trees are celebrating their 20th birthday in the park. On the stage at the cherry blossom meadow, traditional dances, music and stories from Japan, China and Korea are presented in colorful costumes.
Also present: the Berlin Korean Dance Project, the vocal ensemble Sakura, the Berlin Chinese Art and Culture Association and Shamisen Berlin eV, who are dedicated to the instrument of the Japanese long-necked lute.
The trees are a gift from Japan Photo: INES MEIER/PROMO
Also: There are free workshops for calligraphy, origami, you can paint fans or bags. Japanese martial arts such as judo, kendo, aikido or jiu-jitsu can be viewed and tried out on the Confucius Meadow.
Accompanied by loud drums, the Lee sports school finally chases winter out of the gardens of the world with the dragon and lion dance. And of course there are also many stalls with Asian food and drinks. Japanese Tea ceremonies are held at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. A sake tasting is planned at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – both with a limited number of participants.
Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Blumberger Damm 44, Marzahn. 7/3 euros. www.gaertenderwelt.de.