The UK remembers Japan – Events around March 11th

There will be a number of events happening in the UK on or around March 11th to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Below is some information about the ones I know of (most of which are in London). If you know of any other events, please let me know.

11th March 2012
Seven Beach Aid presents You Are Not Forgotten
Golders Green Parish Church, Golders Green, London
An event to remember those affected by the tsunami, featuring music from Motoko HIrai and Saara Takase, the opportunity to light a candle for Japan and send a message to Japan, and activities for children. Light refreshments will be served. Website.

10th March 2012
Beyond the Requiem
St John’s Wood Church, London
Performances by Joji Hirota and the London Metropolitan Orchestra, Joji Hirota Taiko Ensemble, and also by artists from the Tohoku area : Hiroyuki Kanezaki and Masato Okubo. The Toramai — a traditional tiger dance group from Otsuchi-shi, Iwate-ken, where most of the villages were wiped out by the Tunami on 11 March 2011— will also perform. Program includes: Taiko performance, Esashi oiwake – Requiem, Japanese traditional folk songs from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima with London Metropolitan Orchestra. The Toramai, musical show, combination of music, visual and performance. Website.

On now until 24th March 2012
Tohoku: Images of a Disaster
Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London
An exhibition consisting of images by Japanese and international photographers revealing the terrifying drama and damage wreaked by the earthquake and tsunami. Website.

6th & 11th March 2012
Taro Hakase in aid of Tohoku Tsunami Orphans
St Michael’s Church & Cadogan Hall, London
All profits will be donated to the Tohoku Rainbow House, a Japanese charity whose aim is to provide educational and emotional support for orphans affected by the events of 11th March 2011. Website.

10th March 2012, London
Memorial Concert (Thinking of Japan) One year the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
St. Barnabas Church, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London
Featuring Neil Latchman (Classical & Opera Tenor), Jason Kouchak (Classical Pianist & Singer), Simon Gilliver (Flute), Paolp Baroni (Cello), Kiyoko Fukuo(Piano), Ruth Young (Composer) and Tamashii With Liz Walters (Japanese Drum). More info.

10th March 2012
Songs for Japan, One year after the Great East japan Earthquake and Tsunami
St George’s Church, Bloomsbury Way, London
Songs for Japan concert is to raise money for Project Next, an organisation based in Tono-city, Iwate. Performers: Saori Nakazawa with Max Pappenheim, Louisa Roberts Lynagh and Michael Dunnigan. More info.

11th March 2012
Bunkasai
Park Crescent Conference Centre, 229 Great Portland Street, London
On the one year anniversary of the disaster the charity, Aid for Japan, will introduce their activities with a display of Japanese culture, including: Japanese Traditional Dance, Tea Ceremony, Music with Shamisen and Taiko, Kimono Fashion Show, Cosplay show, Martial Arts & Budo. Website.

11th March 2012
Dedication of Japanese Earthquake Memorial Cherry Tree Orchard
Chiddingstone Castle, Kent
To mark the anniversary of the tragic Great East Japan Earthquake, the Trustees and Staff of the Denys Eyre Bower Bequest at Chiddingstone Castle would like to invite visitors from Japan to visit the castle free of charge to join in the dedication of a Memorial Cherry Tree Orchard in the gardens. More info.

11th – 13th March 2012
Haiku Prelude – Haiku Kami
Pop Up Gallery,12 St. Alban’s Grove London
Exhibition opening and the book launch for ‘Haiku Prelude – Haiku Kami’, featuring twenty-seven paintings, inspired by traditional and contemporary Japanese and western haiku. The project was conceived around the time of the natural and nuclear disasters in Japan in March 2011. In the light of these events Carolina Khouri dedicated the series to all victims there. All proceeds from the book will be donated to Momo – Kaki Orphans Fund, which provides aid and encouragement for the children orphaned in this tragic events. Website.

12th – 17th March 2012
“Damage and Healing”, an exhibition by Oi Nuen Sprunt
Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London
The focus of the “damage and healing” exhibition is an installation called the “ShoutCry Room”. This installation comprises six works on layered and sculpted paper using traditional Sumie (Japanese ink painting) techniques. The works evolved as the artist explored the idea of art and healing. The exhibition will also feature further works on paper and an installation called “wish, NEVER GIVE APPLE”, hand-painted organza fabric, inspired by a visit to Minami Sanriku, a town in Tohoku which was devastated by the tsunami. Website.

16th March 2012
The Japan-Cornwall Society Japan Tsunami Charity Concert
The Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall
The Japan-Cornwall Society will be presenting, with the support of the Eden Project, the Japan Tsunami Charity Concert to mark the first anniversary of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster. The money raised will be donated to Ashinaga Ikueikai, who for over 40 years have been actively supporting and sponsoring children who’ve lost their parents and carers, and will be specifically for children orphaned by the disaster. Website.

24th March 2012
Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming Piano Recital 2012
Cadogan Hall, 5 Slone Terrace, London
Japan’s number one iconic concert pianist, Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming is returning to the stage in London. The concert is in aid of animal welfare charities (Japan’s Animal Rescue Centre for the animals affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the UK’s Celia Hammond Animal Trust), and Fuzjko, with her unique style of classical piano, will be performing works by the great composers such as Chopin and Lizt. Website.

27th April 2012
Memorial Concert for the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Saint James’s Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly London
The Hokusai Chamber Orchestra will be performing a memorial concert featuring: the premiere of a new work by Keiko Takano in memory of the Japan disaster; Piano Concerto No.1 by Shostakovich / Masachi Nishiyama – Piano; Concerto Grosso by Vaughan William and String Triptique by Yasushi Akutagawa. More info.

The Embassy of Japan in the UK has a calendar of events here, which I’m sure will be updated as other events are announced. Even if you can’t get to any of the events mentioned above, please try to remember Japan on March 11th. Great work has been done towards recovery, but there is still a long way to go.