On August 9th, 2014, beginning from 11:30 AM and running into the evening, the Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal is proud to host Matsuri Japon! This fun-filled, annual event has something for all the family: live music, dancing, martial arts demonstrations and fantastic food. Come for the afternoon, come for the evening, but definitely do not miss this entertaining event! Details can be seen here: http://festivaljapon.com/

Special for this year will be the Kids 2 Kids Quilt project table. This project began as a humanitarian activity for those children in Japan affected by the Great Tohoku Earthquake of 2011. Launched by Japanese-Canadian artist Linda Ohama, the initiative has seen a series of quilts created by Canadians for Japanese quake survivors, and then later on, another series of quilts created to say ‘thank you’ from the victims. Now, kids of all ages can take part in the creative fun!

Children are encouraged to bring a 25 cm x 25 cm piece of cloth to the Matsuri. Art supplies will be offered for kids to decorate the cloth in any way they like. Then, cloth samples will be gathered by the cultural centre and sewn into a quilt, which will then be sent to Japan. For those of you who wish to create something more elaborate, feel free to do so at home and then bring your cloth to the Cultural centre by August 31st. The origins of the project can be seen here: http://www.lindaohama.com/currentprojects/clothlettersquilts.html

Come and take part in this on-going cultural and friendship exchange between Canada and Japan!