LMCN was delighted for the first time to bring an insight into Japanese Culture and in particular, Ikebana to Llanelli.
Ikebana (⽣け花, 活け花) (ike = arrange, bana = flower) is the Japanese art of arranging flowers or making them alive. It is based on respect for nature and aims to spiritually elevate both the person who creates the arrangement and whoever comes into contact with it.
The Network organised 2 workshops led by Deise Souza, an Ikebana expert with 40 years’ experience of studying and teaching Ikebana. Network member Dr. Marisa Morita provided an introduction to Japanese life and culture.
Participants learnt that Ikebana is not just about decoration, but also the awakening of the appreciation of beauty and increasing the harmony between human beings and nature. The practice of “giving a flower a better world” aims to brighten the environment around us and make people happier and healthier.
The workshops reflected the practice of Ikebana, which has developed over the centuries to become one of the classical Japanese arts of refinement. Participants had the opportunity to create and take home their own Ikebana.
Chair of LMCN, Annie Evans commented,
“This was a first for us, and the places for the two workshops were all taken up very quickly. The feedback from the participants was amazing, with comments such as “Loved learning about Japanese culture and the theory behind the Ikebana principles” and “The whole event was very enjoyable and informative. It was far more than just a lesson in Ikebana”.
Annie added, our thanks to everybody involved, including our wonderful volunteers and our film maker Malcolm Boorer who has created two films that can be viewed at
- Workshop 1 https://youtu.be/vx-gH-FMQNE
- Workshop 2 https://youtu.be/xzJzeFSqUEU
The course received financial support from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (GBSF). GBSF seeks to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the UK and Japan through financial support for activities in a number of fields, including Arts, Culture, Japanese Language, Education, Medicine and Health. Website http://www.gbsf.org.uk/
Llanelli Multicultural Network LMCN founded in 2007 aims to build a more coherent community that is based on mutual understanding and respect. and organises activities that celebrate and share all cultures, making our society a better place to live in. See Facebook
