Hanami in Leiden on March 23, 2025

It is spring! It is hanami time! In Japan, people head out during this period to admire the beauty of the sakura, the cherry blossoms, together while enjoying delicious food and drinks. They call this Hanami. It is also a moment to reflect on the transience of life, for the blooming season is beautiful, but short. The museum is organizing a festival day on March 23, 2025, with indoor and outdoor activities dedicated to the cherry blossoms and Japan, such as a food market, music, workshops, and lectures. Do you know the history of the cherry blossom?

Cherry Blossom Festival

March 23 is Hanami Day at the World Museum Leiden. Hanami is a well-known concept in Japan and has been rooted in Japanese society for over a thousand years. It is the tradition of enjoying the fleeting beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms (sakura), which symbolize the transience of life. Due to their short bloom, these blossoms symbolize birth, life, death, and rebirth. Various workshops are organized both inside and outside the museum, either for a fee or free of charge. During Hanami Day, you can picnic in the museum garden under the cherry blossoms, enjoy music, and visit a market where you can sample Japanese cuisine. There is an extensive cultural program, including a lecture and demonstration on maki-e, gold, and Japanese lacquer art by Dave van Gompel, the Ambassador of Japan, on 425 years of trade relations between Japan and the Netherlands, as well as workshops and painting classes. There is also music by DJ Yuki Hoshi, playing exclusively Japanese vinyl records. You can purchase a Japanese lunch at one of the food stalls in the market. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]             Guided tours of Japan and blossoms: flowers and plant motifs in the collection. Get acquainted with the museum's special Japan collection, with special attention to objects related to cherry blossoms. A museum educator will take you past the ever-blooming blossoms and flowers in the museum's collection. Flowers and plants often have symbolic or medicinal value. You will discover this and much more during this special tour as part of hanami. DJ Yuki Hoshi plays only Japanese vinyl. Yuki means snow. Hoshi means star. Snowstar Records label manager Cedric Muyres began sharing his collection of undiscovered Japanese gems and city pop hits on Stranded FM Utrecht during lockdown. Festivals like Best Kept Secret and Camera Japan followed shortly thereafter.  

425 years of relations between the Netherlands and Japan in 2025

Japan is an important (trading) partner for the Netherlands, and together the countries share a special historical relationship. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Netherlands was the only Western European country allowed to trade directly with Japan for nearly 250 years. In 2025, the year Expo Osaka takes place, we celebrate 425 years of relations since 1600.

The Netherlands and Japan cooperate on themes such as (economic) security, defense, cyber, innovation, trade, agriculture, and food security. Japan is one of the largest economies in the world. In 2023, the Netherlands exported €7,3 billion worth of goods to Japan. Opportunities for Dutch companies and knowledge institutions lie primarily in the fields of food, health, energy transition, digitalization, and the creative sector. The Netherlands is also an important investment destination for Japan. More than 600 Japanese companies collectively have over 800 branches in the Netherlands.

Japan is also a focus country for international cooperation in the cultural field. The country has a long tradition in which heritage, art, and craftsmanship are valued. In addition, Japan is interested in the Dutch approach to societal issues. Examples include aging, urbanization, sustainability, and social inclusion.

  Sources used: National Government, World Museum Leiden.  

<strong> More info: </strong>

Hanami in Leiden on March 23, 2025: https://leiden.wereldmuseum.nl/nl/hanami How one Englishman saved the Japanese cherry blossom (Mare article): https://www.mareonline.nl/cultuur/hoe-een-engelsman-de-japanse-kersenbloesem-redde/ Older Hanami blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/2024/03/22/hanami-in-leiden-op-24-maart-2024/ https://www.postzegelblog.nl/2023/03/23/hanami-in-leiden-op-26-maart-2023/ [One_half] [/ One_half] [one_half_last]                 Everything about Expo Osaka: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-buitenlandse-zaken/evenementen/expo-2025-osaka#:~ https://nlexpo2025.nl/en https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/