An unusual cultural event took place in the Japanese capital, a large-scale parade of the Kazakh diaspora, El.kz reports.
The event in Tokyo gathered representatives from the Embassy of Kazakhstan, students enrolled in leading Japanese universities, and members of the Kazakh diaspora.
Participants dressed in national costumes marched through the busiest streets of the metropolis carrying national flags, capturing the attention of an audience of thousands.
The organizers emphasized that the main goal is to promote Kazakhstan and showcase the depth of national traditions through direct contact with the local population.
One of the key highlights of the program was a performance by Yeldos Sugurbay. He performed Kazakh kuis and folk songs on the dombra.
The Japanese audience, known for its deep appreciation of instrumental music, greeted the performance with enthusiasm. The virtuoso dombra playing sparked keen interest among Tokyo residents, many of whom were discovering the sound of Kazakh folklore for the first time.
The Japanese woman who speaks Kazakh
Special attention was drawn to a performance by a Japanese woman named Aska. She amazed those present with her fluency in the Kazakh language. Dressed in a national Kazakh costume, Aska also spoke on stage, serving as a vivid example of cultural interpenetration. In an interview, she shared that she lived in Almaty for only one year, but during that time she managed not only to master the language but also to deeply study the traditions.
"I feel very close to Kazakh traditions and music. I try to participate in all diaspora events and actively follow the news from Kazakhstan," Aska shared.
She plans to visit Kazakhstan again this year to meet with friends, artists and craftsmen with whom she has shared a long-standing friendship.
The Dimash Phenomenon in Japan
The parade also saw participation from the Japanese Dimash Qudaibergen fan club. The organization brings together about 100 active members.
According to Fumi Furuyama, the Kazakh artist's work has served as an incentive for many Japanese people to study the Kazakh language and the heritage of Abai.
The fan club's participation in the parade highlighted that modern Kazakh culture is a powerful link between the two countries.
Cultural Export
As noted by Arailym, one of the event's organizers, such actions are aimed at systematically introducing the Japanese people to the culture of Kazakhstan.
"Our goal is to make the residents of Japan aware of Kazakhstan’s existence, to show our clothing, songs, and the spirit of our people. The live format of a parade allows us to do this most effectively," she emphasized.
The event sparked great interest on social media, with Tokyo residents actively sharing footage of the procession and noting the vibrant colors of the Kazakh costumes and the hospitality of the participants.