The National Youth Services Council (NYSC), in collaboration with the Japanese Solidarity Association (JSA) and the Embassy of Japan, successfully hosted the Bon Odori Festival 2024 at the NYSC premises in Maharagama. Despite the rainy weather, a significant crowd of both Sri Lankan and Japanese nationals attended the festival, highlighting the strong cultural ties between the two nations.

A customary Japanese festival, the Bon Odori Festival honours and says adieu to ancestor spirits. The event this year included a diverse array of acts and events that highlighted the lively customs of Sri Lanka and Japan.

The festival featured a Bon Odori dance to popular songs “Tokyo Ondo” and “Tanko Bushi,” which were performed by students from the Japanese School in Colombo and the Lanka Nippon BizTech Institute (LNBTI). In addition to the Bon Dance, the following performances have given the cultural event a captivating touch:
• Traditional Japanese drum performances (Wadaiko) by students from the Japanese School in Colombo and NYSC
• The Japanese dance “Nanchu Soran,” performed by students from the Japanese School in Colombo
• Karate performances by NYSC students
• J-Pop dance routines by LNBTI students
• Japanese and Sinhala songs performed by JICA Volunteers and
• A blend of traditional Japanese and Sri Lankan dances by NYSC students.

With her live performance, a renowned Japanese singer and long-time supporter of JICA, Ms. Mayo Shono, who was in Sri Lanka for the third time, brought this year’s Bon Odori event a splash of colour and vibrancy with her dulcet voice.
Distinguished participants graced the occasion, including Hon. Harin Fernando, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, H.E. Mr. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mr. Pasindu Gunaratne, Chairman of NYSC, and Mr. HOTTA Mikinaga, President of JSA.

Numerous food vendors from well-known Japanese eateries, such as Nihonbashi, Sushi Bar Samurai, Yamato, Ginza Hohsen, Kuuraku, Minori, Shikisen, and Sakura Coffee Farm, were present in the festival grounds. In addition, the NYSC cooking class also had its stall, offering a diverse range of Japanese cuisine and popular Sri Lankan dishes. The event also featured stalls from the Origami Folders Association of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Bonsai Association, JICA volunteers, Japanese Solidarity Association Bazaar, and the Japanese local government promotion by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).

The Bon Odori Festival 2024 was a resounding success, where even the heavy rain not just could not douse the enthusiasm but rather turned out to be stoking log for further strengthening the cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka. The organizers extend their heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors, and attendees for their support and participation, which made the event a memorable celebration of friendship and cultural heritage.