Hey y’all!
I ended up going to three of the events I mentioned last week, and had a great time at all of them.
Wednesday: Swehongo Språkナイト
It was my first time at a Swehongo event, but it was a really fun group. There were quite a few Japanese people and quite a few people who were much more fluent than I, so it really kept me on my toes.
I was a bit late getting there, because I’d gone to the wrong venue: It was held at IMA Izakaya out in Sickla. However, I ended up going to Kungsträdgården, since there is an izakaya there with an adjacent bar called IMA.
Fortunately, though, it wasn’t all that time-sensitive; I arrived about 20 minuted late, and people kept dropping in and out throughout the night.
The onsen egg at IMA was really really good. They had a special menu for Språkナイト, but apparently the onsen egg is on their regular dinner menu, too.
Saturday: Language café with japanska föreningen
Fun as always. This time it wasn’t quite as crowded as the previous event … which might have been a good thing, because it was very hot and humid that day.
I only met on Japanese person there, but ended up having a long chat with two really fluent learners, so it was still really good practice.
Sunday: Nerikomi workshop
I was kind of going back and forth on whether or not I should go, but I’m glad that I did; one of the most fun things I’ve done in quite a while.
I enjoy working with my hands, but most important of all, both the teachers and the other students were really friendly and positive. It was quite meditative to spend two hours just working and chatting, and being unable to check my phone every five minutes because I had clay on my hands.
I have no artistic skills what-so-ever, but fortunately nerikomi is a fairly beginner-friendly technique. I was originally going to go for a floral pattern, but realized I quite liked the patterns I got by just twisting and smashing clay together.
Now, on to upcoming events across 北欧:
Helsinki
12 kesäkuuta
Serita at Hesinki-päivä
Serita, a Finnish-Japanese J-rock/alt-rock musician, will be performing at Karhupuiston lavalla as part of Helsinki Day.
30. syyskuuta
Yasuharu Takanashi’s Far East Groove
Composer and songwriter Yasuharu Takanashi is going on tour. I haven’t found much information about the concert, but going by previous tours, it seems safe to assume that the setlist will include music from Naruto and Fairy Tail.
Kolding
29.-31. maj
Japan-Denmark Filmfestival
A three-day film festival featuring Japanese movies from a variety of genres, as well as a film competition (with categories for both short and feature-length films).
Guests include director Nakata Hideo, actress Yoshimoto Miyu, cosplayer and media personality Shibuya Kaho, and director Otsuka Yuki.
In connection with the film festival, there will also be a cosplay competition, hosted by Shibuya Kaho.
Lund
31 maj
Intercultural Hitchhikes – Japan
Application (deadline: 28 maj)
More information: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYnJZj_DfoR/
Göteborg
31 maj
Udon school
Learn to make udon with WANOWA at Meshiya.
Stockholm
28 maj - 6 juni
Japanese pop-up
https://www.instagram.com/gyllstadstudio/p/DYkP83Eisw6/
31 maj
Mother’s day pop-up event at Yuko Ono
A pop-up event in Hägersten where you can get food from Chez Iwata, snacks from Fikalabb Stockholm and tea from Yuko Ono.
Chez Iwata:
- Bento boxes
- teriyaki chicken
- tofu+shiitake (vegetarian; maybe vegan)
- Onigiri
Bento boxes need to be pre-ordered by May 27th
Fikalab:
- Matcha and Strawberry Roll Cake with Hanami Dango
- Lychee & Raspberry Tofu “Cheesecake” (vegan-friendly)
- Genmaicha & Sakura Basque Cheesecake
- Hojicha & Strawberry Basque Cheesecake
(If you can’t get to Hägersten on Sunday, Fikalab will also be at Hornstulls marknad on Saturday.)
30-31 maj
Comic-Con Stockholm
Not strictly Japan-related, but there are some Japan-related items on the program, such as calligraphy and kenjutsu.
Also, David Hayter is going to be a guest; he’s kind of Japan-related. Wonder if I should dust off my old Naked Snake cosplay…?
9 juni
Korean-Japanese dinner event
Japanese chefs Ai Ventura and Saori Ichihara will be teaming up with Korean restauranteur Her Name Is Kim to create an 11-serving dinner combining Korean and Japanese cuisine.