Performance by Sai opens Japan cultural festival in Tabriz

A Japan cultural festival opened with a performance by Sai, a celebrated Japanese drum group, at the Shahryar International Hotel in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz on Monday evening, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroyasu Kobayashi, Tabriz Mayor Sadeq Najafi, a group of cultural figures and a large number of people attended the opening ceremony of the festival on Tuesday.

“This band is the winner of a Japanese music contest that uses modern styles and traditional Japanese instruments to draw the attention of many people to themselves,” Kobayashi said in his short speech.

“I’m sure that their performance has been amazing for the Iranian people as well,” he added.

Sai uses wa-daiko, a Japanese traditional percussion instrument, in their performance. Wa-daiko literally means “drum of harmony” in Japanese. It has a deep relation with Japanese culture and people.

“People of both countries are similar to each other in many characteristics, such being hard working, so we can enjoy each other’s experiences,” Najafi mentioned.

The festival will run until February 3.