With the rhythmic pounding of drum beats reverberating through the shopping centre, it’s easy to imagine being smack in the middle of an ancient Japanese ritual of performance. A quick look around reminds us that we are in fact, in the middle of Times Square shopping centre, in Berakas, and the drumming is courtesy of Marunone, a Japanese drum performing group utilizing traditional ‘wadaiko’ and setting a truly festive atmosphere at the venue.
We’re here to celebrate the opening of the Japanese Culture Festival 2024, organised by the Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam, where members of the public got to experience aspects of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and lifestyle, as well as Japanese language through stage performances and booths, over two days. The event is part of a year-long celebration of Japan and Brunei’s 40th year of diplomatic relations; Ambassador Maeda Toru co-hosted the opening ceremony with Yang Mulia Haji Awang Damit, Director of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and Yong Mulia Dr. Noor Naasirah Abdullah-Teo, in attendance.
