Grant Activities

World Kamishibai Forum LIVE in 2025

Kamishibai is one of Japan’s story-telling arts, a tale told by a performer who reveals a series of illustrated boards while providing narration and dialogue. The World Kamishibai Forum came to the United States for the very first time. Held in San Diego, from February 13 to 21, 2025, it attracted experts in the art, from Japan, the U.S. and Peru, all ready to share their stories. Workshops covered kamishibai’s history, production and screening techniques, and discussion sessions. The subsequent sessions provided kindergartners, elementary school kids and educators with their first glimpse into this unique world.

Concerts of Japanese and Serbian music in Serbia by Japanese Trio En

“En” a trio of Japanese women with deep ties to Serbia-a player of the shinobue, the Japanese side-blown flute, an accordionist, and a violinist-has long been involved in international exchanges through music, and building bridges between Serbia and Japan. In 2024, they played music from Japan and Serbia to audiences at museums and public facilities in five Serbian cities, a total of over 600 people. Their concert included explanation on the shinobue, and a joint performance with a professional local choir that has Japanese songs in its repertoire, and aimed to encourage exchanges and deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.