Judo, Taiko, Sushi and Cosplay at the Japan Festival of 2020

Veröld – House of Vigdís was full of children, teenagers and adults on 18 January, who came to attend the annual Japan Festival of the University of Iceland. This year’s theme were the Olympic Games, which will be held in Tokyo this year.  

Festival guests were invited to try Japanese tea and sweets, dress up in a Kimono and have their names written with Japanese calligraphy, and attend a performance of Taiko-drumming and martial arts. Guests also had the opportunity to take part in a cosplay competition, with Japan-related prizes for the winners.

For years, Japanese has been among the most popular subjects of the Faculty of Languages and Cultures at the University of Iceland. Teachers and students of the Japanese department volunteer every year to set up the Japan Festival, with generous support from the Japanese Embassy to Iceland. 

Photos: Kristinn Ingvarsson