Tanabata Star Festival 2024 at JFT Library

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July 6th, 2024 @ 11:30 am - 4:30 pm EDT
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Thank you to all those who joined Tanabata Star Festival 2024 at JFT Library!
*For those who have not yet had the chance to fill in the questionnaire, it would be of great help to us if you could complete this by Tuesday, July 16. As we strive to continually improve and create more inspiring experiences for our patrons, your feedback will play a vital role in shaping our future events!
Here are some lovely comments from our patrons who completed our questionnaire and agreed to share:
🌟 “Very nice and engaging event, slice of Japanese culture, really enjoyed it.. thanks for hosting this event 🙂 ” — Aish
🌟 “Excellent event!” — Sherry
🌟 “We loved it, so much fun! We have learned a lot!” — Anonymous
🌟 “Amazing event for my kids to be connected to our culture. Thank you!” — Anonymous
Missed the event? Our sasa bamboo tree, food samples and masks are still on display until Tuesday, July 30th. You are welcome to add your own wishes when you visit the library during our opening hours!
Tanabata Star Festival (七夕祭り) is a traditional Japanese festival where people make wishes and send them to the stars. Mark your calendar for a special day of cultural exploration, creativity, and heartfelt wishes at JFT Library!
Join us with your friends and family on this joyous occasion and engage in a variety of activities that will transport you to the heart of Tanabata, including:
Tanzaku Wish Card
11:30 am – 4:30 pm
Write your desires and aspirations on a tanzaku wish card (a colourful strip of paper), then hang it on sasa (bamboo branch).
Kamishibai Storytelling
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Listen to the mesmerizing art of kamishibai, a traditional Japanese form of street theatre and storytelling, where folk tales and children’s stories are brought to life through vibrant illustrations and dynamic narration! This year, we will be presenting two classic folklore stories:
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- The Story of Tanabata 『たなばたものがたり』
- The Mouse’s Wedding 『ねずみのよめいり』
*Our Kamishibai storytelling will be in English, so you don’t need Japanese language ability.
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Origami Fishing Pond
11:30 am – 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Goldfish catching is a quintessential festival activity in Japan. For our Tanabata Star Festival, we have prepared an origami fishing pond instead. Try catching some origami sea creatures with a fishing rod!
Uchiwa Making Workshop
11:30 am – 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Unleash your creativity with paper craft and make your own uchiwa (Japanese hand fan)! The quintessential Japanese hand fans are most often seen in summer, for creating a cooling breeze and adding a stylish touch when wearing yukata at summer festivals. Join us for a fun, creative session and take home a piece of Japanese culture!
Yukata Dress Up
11:30 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Don’t miss the chance to try on a Yukata (a traditional Japanese garment worn during the summer season). Feel a connection to the vibrant traditions of Japan!
Photo Booth
11:30 am – 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Capture the memories of this special day at our photo booth with entertaining props and a festive backdrop!
Check out Library Materials and Cultural Items on Display about Tanabata and Japanese Festivals!
11:30 am – 4:30 pm
Visitors are welcome to browse our collection of over 20,000 Japan-related materials covering a wide range of topics, including Tanabata and Japanese festivals.
If you’re new to our library, we can help you sign up for a library card!
Click here to download a PDF file of Tanabata Star Festival activities schedule