The Embassy of Japan in Luxembourg has announced upcoming free culture events: Awa Odori dance performances by the dance group Takarabune.
There will be two types of events in Luxembourg involving this dance group from Japan.
First, a public concert and dance performance will take place in Place d'Armes in Luxembourg-Ville on Tuesday 17 September 2024. On the agenda are several 20-30 minute performances, at 12:30, 15h00 and 18h00.
Free entry, no registration required. For further details, visit https://www.vdl.lu/en/whats-on/awa-odori-traditionelle-japanische-tanzvorfuhrung.
Then, on Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 19:00, a free performance is taking place at the University of Luxembourg in Esch-Belval (Maison des Arts et des Ètudiants - 6 Avenue de la Fonte, L-4364). This is a full performance of Takarabune in a seated concert setting. Doors open at 18:30. Ticket reservation is mandatory here.
As the Japanese Embassy explained, "Awa Odori" is a Japanese traditional dance that originated in the Awa region (Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku island) and has a history of over 450 years. Its festival is one of the biggest and most famous in Japan and takes place every August. Last year, about 540,000 people reportedly visited the festival.
During the festival, groups of choreographed dancers and musicians known as "ren" dance through the streets, typically accompanied by the shamisen lute, taiko drums, shinobue flute and the kane bell. Performers wear traditional obon dance costumes and chant and sing as they parade through the streets.
"Takarabune" means "Treasure ship". This Awa Odori group combines costumes, singing, taiko drums and kane bell to an energetic festival dance. With more than 300 shows per year, Takarabune has performed in 69 cities all around the globe.
