Tuscaloosa’s 39th annual Sakura Festival: celebrating Japanese culture + cherry blossoms
Reading time: 3 minutes
Every spring, Japan celebrates the blossoming of cherry blossoms nationwide. And we have the opportunity to do the same right here in Alabama.
Across the nation, you can find Sakura Festivals popping up acknowledging the beauty of the cherry blossoms including an annual festival in Tuscaloosa.
Keep reading to see what Tuscaloosa’s Sakura Festival has to recognize Japanese culture and cherry blossoms.
Tomo ni hagukumu (共に育む)
This year’s theme for the festival was “tomo ni hagukumu,” which means harmony. The theme was chosen as a reminder to carry the connection between Tuscaloosa and its Japanese sister city, Narashino.
Events
The festival was filled with performances by UA JLCS Students, Critical Languages Center students, Community Music School + The Capitol School students.
There were also stations like Japanese children’s games, origami, sakura hand painting, + a station to learn to write your name in Japanese. Here’s a full list of the events:
- Suzuki Violin Method Performance by students from the Community Music School + The Capitol School led by Mrs. Yang Zhao
- UA JLCS Students perform Bon Odori traditional Japanese folk dances
- Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Olivia Stallings, JLCS President
- Traditional Japanese drum music by Nozomi Daiko: Laurie Arizumi from the Critical Languages Center + UA Students
- UA JLCS Students perform Bon Odori traditional Japanese folk dances
- Cosplay Contest
- Haiku Contest winning entries announces
- Sweet treat food truck, Dipped by Lisha Marie lasting the whole festival
Traditional dance + drums
A highlight of the festival was the performance of the Bon Odori, where everyone gets to participate. Students in JLCS taught everyone how to perform Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese folk dance, all while traditional drum music made a beat.
Catch the next festival
Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it to Tuscaloosa’s festival. Birmingham Botanical Gardens will be hosting its 2025 Sakura Festival on March 29th, from 10 AM- 4 PM. The festival will include similar celebrations in Japanese dance + tea ceremonies.
What festivals should we cover next? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
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