Date / Venue
19th January
Egmont Palace, Brussels
Concert for the opening ceremony celebrating the 150 years of Friendship between the two countries
Program : Seigaiha
Organized by Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Japan in Belgium, Preparatory Committee
20th January
Concert & Workshop at Japanese School of Brussel
Program : Introduction of gagaku instruments, Kangen, Bugaku, workshop
Organized by Japanese School of Brussel
23rd January
"Miyabi" Concert at Palais des Bozar
Program : Introduction of Gagaku Instruments, Kangen "Hyojo-no-netori", "Etenraku", Bugaku "Urayasu-no-Mai", "Ryoo", "Kansyu", Kagura Bue Solo "Asakura-no-Netori"
Demonstration of Ikebana, Sado
Organized by G. A. Forest Foundation
Supported by Bozar
Sponsored by Japan Foundation; Co-Operated by All Mippon Airways
2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium. In order to celebrate this significant year, the two countries are organizing various commemorative events. Given the magnitude of the event, the Imperial Household Agency announced on November 4, 2015 that His Majesty the Emperor of Japan will assume the Honorary Presidency for this Anniversary on the Japanese side from December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. His Majesty the King of the Belgians will assume the same role on the Belgium side.
It is an honor for the Kitanodai Gagaku Ensemble to be officially invited by the Embassy of Japan in Belgium and the Preparatory Committee to take part in the events and introduce the traditional art of Japan to the Belgium people. The Ensemble will be performing gagaku at the opening ceremony celebrating the 150 years of Friendship between the two countries which will be held at Egmont Palace in Brussel.
During our one week stay there, three concerts are scheduled at the following venues. The concerts are supported by the Japan Foundation as a grant program.
One of the Kitanodai Gagaku Ensemble’s objective is to educate and raise the aesthetic sensibilities of young people through gagaku. For that, the Ensemble has conducted its activities in and out of Japan.
It is the second visit for the Ensemble to hold a performance and a workshop at this Japanese School. It is our wish that our presence at the school will bring better understanding of Japanese tradition to the students.
Since 2011, the Miyabi concert has been planned by Belgium director, Dr. Ado Huygens and Mr. & Mrs. Yoichiro Iguchi, president and vice-president of the Kitanodai Gagaku Ensemble, in order to make gagaku more understandable for Western people. For this occasion, the Miyabi concert was made possible by an extensive support from G. A. Forest Foundation which was established by Belgium businessman, Mr. G. A. Forest.
The gagaku concert in Belgium was made possible by monetary donations from many supporters such as Mitsubishi Corporation, other companies and individuals. We still continue to seek your support for the concert; therefore, please visit our website for more information about donation and its remittance method.
