Behind the Blossoms: Hear from a Volunteer about Copenhagen's 2024 Sakura Festival
The 17th Copenhagen Sakura Festival will be held on the 20th & 21st of April 2024 at Langelinie Park between 11:00 and 16:00. Entrance is free to the Sakura Festival, and the invitation is extended to everyone to come by and witness aspects of Japanese culture.
I would love to thank the Embassy of Japan in Denmark and Mayu Kamiya for introducing me to Kazuko Mayer, one of several ever-present volunteers at the Sakura Festival in Copenhagen.
Meet Kazuko Mayer, who first arrived in Denmark in the 1970s
Kazuko first arrived in Denmark sometime between 1973 and 1974. After living and working in Copenhagen for almost 50 years, she retired. Kazuko-san had worked as a freelance interpreter and coordinator for Japanese delegations who visited Denmark for business.
For 25 years, she taught Japanese to kids and locals in Copenhagen at the evening school. She previously also served as chairman of the Japanese Association in Denmark, dedicating her efforts to the Japanese community.
"And now I'm all retired and my work is now only in the capacity of a volunteer"
What is the main purpose of celebrating the Sakura Festival in Copenhagen?
Kazuko-san emphasises that the core mission of the Copenhagen Sakura Festival is to showcase Japanese culture. Over two days, the festival's main stage features continuous displays every 30 minutes, including martial arts, kimono dressing, traditional dance, drumming, and a cosplay contest—highlighting the influential manga industry.
"We have about 23 groups who perform this year on the main stage. And out of 23 groups, only seven groups are Japanese"
This indicates how interested both Danes and internationals are in Japanese culture. "We are grateful for it and wish to strengthen it even more in the future," she adds.
Why are cherry blossoms so significant and widely celebrated in Japanese culture?
Before responding, Kazuko-san clarified that her insights were based solely on her personal experiences. She takes us back to her childhood in Japan.
"Back home, my mother would prepare elaborate lunchboxes, which we took along with mats, akin to roll-up mattresses, to the cherry trees. We'd find the prettiest tree, lay beneath it, and enjoy a picnic. It was a communal experience, where adults chatted and children played, often inviting passersby to share our food and company."
She proceeds to answer the question at hand. After the devastation of the Second World War, the government began planting these hardy cherry trees that required little care and blossomed quickly,' she says. This initiative aimed to bring beauty and renewal to public spaces like train stations, schools, and town halls nationwide. Despite their blooms lasting only two weeks, these trees represent a triumph of resilience and a testament to the Japanese appreciation for fleeting beauty, embodying the nation's love for subtlety.
The cherry trees in Langeline Park are a prime example of traditional Japanese cherry trees, explains Kazuko Mayer.
"They are, as we say, the right kind of cherry blossoms. Unlike many varieties, these trees bloom with distinct, whitish flowers rather than the typical pink, embodying the authentic beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms."
What similarities do you see between Japanese and Danish cultures?
"I don't see the similarity in cultures, but I see, the similarities in people"
Though our cultures may seem different, at their core, Japanese and Danish people share traits of shyness and cautiousness,' she observes. This shared temperament, Kazuko-san believes, fosters deep mutual respect and understanding, allowing Danes to connect with intricate Japanese traditions like tea ceremonies, flower arranging, and martial arts. 'It's more than just curiosity; it's a genuine understanding,' she notes, suggesting why many Danes are drawn to Japanese culture.
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One lesson from living in Denmark you would like to carry over to Japan?
Kazuko Mayer shares her admiration for the Danish approach to equality, contrasting it with Japan's rigid hierarchy.
'In Denmark, I was deeply moved by how people treat each other equally, regardless of status,' she explains.
As a freelance interpreter in Denmark, Mayer found that sincerity and politeness opened doors, allowing her to interact with high-ranking officials as equals—a stark difference from Japan's conservative, status-focused society. 'This welcoming Danish behaviour, treating strangers with equal respect, is something Japan could learn from,' she reflects, emphasising the impact of behaviour over titles and wealth.
A message to everyone looking forward to attending the Sakura Festival in 2024?
Kazuko Mayer encourages all attendees to enjoy the Sakura Festival's beauty and activities while emphasising the collective responsibility of keeping the venue clean.
'We are all volunteers here, and maintaining a clean park is a core part of our festival ethos,' she states.
Kazuko-san hopes visitors will embrace the festival's spirit by enjoying the event responsibly alongside both Japanese and Danish communities.
You can find the full program along with the information on the various booths showcasing various Japanese Traditions on this link: https://sakurafestival.dk/program/
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞, 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞
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