Learning about Japanese culture through craft and hands on activities

Learning about Japanese culture through craft and hands on activities

Staff and volunteers from the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum are gearing up for this year's 'Saiki Children's Day'.  Hundreds of primary school aged children are expected to walk thought the doors between 10am and 1pm Friday 27 May, ready for another fun-filled experience.   

 
The successful annual event has been running for the past six years and has proven to be a hit amongst both the students and the staff.  

This year the Taiko Drummers will be back, hosting mini drumming workshops for the children to try out.  Along with this activity will be Kimono & Happy Coat dress ups and a selection of craft activities, all relating to elements of Japanese culture.  Craft activities include karate headbands, origami, Japanese brush calligraphy, sumo wrestler finger puppets, paper bullet trains and concertina dragons.

'Saiki Children's Day' is modelled on the Japanese centuries old, 'Children's Day', which is a famous annual event in their calendar where children are celebrated.  The annual event at the Gallery & Museum aims to give local children a glimpse into the lives of their peers in Japan.

'Saiki Children's Day' is a Gladstone Saiki Sister City Advisory Committee initiative, supported by the Gladstone Regional Council.  The event is one of many annual cultural exchange programs that the Gallery & Museum holds in conjunction with the Region's Sister City, Saiki City, Japan.

School children will be attending 'Saiki Children's Day' between 10am and 1pm on May 27, however after this time, thought to 4 June, the craft activities and dress ups will be available for the general public to enjoy.

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum is open 10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

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