Japan Fest at Swadlincote’s Festival of Leisure
The activity timetables and festival maps are now available for this year's Festival of Leisure 2023.
A celebration of Japanese culture with performances, workshops and stalls will take place at this year’s Swadlincote Festival of Leisure.
Japan Fest will bring a unique taste of Japan to South Derbyshire. Activities for this cultural event will include Japanese arts and crafts, authentic handmade food, Japanese inspired drinks, performances, activity areas and anime, plus much more.
The event is part of celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the international relationship between Derbyshire and Toyota City in Japan, which was established following the development of the car plant at Burnaston.
The aim is to cater both to the Japanese community and to create an environment where anyone, no matter the age, can enjoy a day immersed in a culture which otherwise would be near impossible to engage with.
Visitors will enjoy performers and activities, including musicians, DJs, singers, and drummers, and can try face painting, Sumo wrestling, making origami, wearing a Kimono or taking part in a Pokemon Switch tournament.
Stallholders will be offering Japanese anime, artwork, crafts, stationary, clothing, sweets, food and drink. The Festival of Leisure featuring Japan Fest will run from the 24 - 25 June 2023 between 11:30am - 5pm on both days.
South Derbyshire District Council is one of the partners in the Toyota City Partnership Board, which was established in 2018, to develop the friendship with Toyota City by bringing together key economic and cultural stakeholders, alongside the Derbyshire local authorities. The Board is staging a programme of events to mark the 25th Anniversary, aiming to raise awareness of the international links, and promote relationships that will enhance economic development, tourism, culture, sport and the environment.
Japan Fest at Swadlincote’s Festival of Leisure is one of the public events in the programme. Later in the Summer, the Toyota City Junior Marching Band will be travelling to the UK to perform at Music in the Park at Maurice Lea Park on 9 August. Both events are free to attend.
Councillor Robert Pearson, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council said: “I am delighted we can announce that Japan Fest will feature at this year’s Festival of Leisure event. It will enable people from South Derbyshire and further afield to discover Japanese culture and help us to celebrate our District’s remarkable relationship that now spans a quarter of a century.”
For further information about the relationship visit: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/twinning/toyota-city/toyota-city-japan.aspx For event information, please visit: https://www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/event/swadlincote/japan-fest-at-swadlincote-festival-of-leisure/
5 June 2023