On Saturday 12 April, the Cherry Blossom Park in Amstelveen was the venue for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Due to the uncharacteristically mild weather in recent months, the cherry blossom trees had already blossomed, but the green scenery provided a wonderful backdrop for the festival.
In an imposing tent, visitors were welcomed by Chairman of the Netherlands-Japan Association Mr. E.F. Jacobs and listened to speeches by Mayor of Amstelveen Mr. Fred de Graaf and Ambassador of Japan Mr. Masaru Tsuji. After the customary toast, visitors could enjoy many Japanese traditions surrounding this year’s theme, washoku (Japanese cuisine), which was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Food stands included the overly popular taiyaki (fish-shaped cake with filling), takoyaki (ball-shaped octopus snacks), sashimi (raw fish) and koshu, Japanese white wine from Yamanashi Prefecture. Performances by a Japanese choir and a taiko group (traditional Japanese drums) added to a great atmosphere.

For more photos of the festival, please visit the official website of the City of Amstelveen: http://amstelveenweb.com/nieuws-Het-14de-Kersenbloesem-Festival-is-gehouden-in-A&newsid=229040574

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