The now established summer celebration “Natsu Matsuri” in the city’s first Japanese public park, in Pagrati, they had the opportunity to meet hundreds of visitors of all ages, citizens of Athens, tourists and members of the Japanese community. The celebratory event, with a special rhythm and pulse given by those present, was implemented for the third consecutive year, with the cooperation of the Municipality of Athens and the Embassy of Japan, and the support of JTI.
“Natsu Matsuri” is Japan’s most popular holiday with religious roots in antiquitywhich in Greece blends with Mediterranean culture, providing a unique experiential experience. With the aim of creating a holistic experiential cultural experience, during the evening, those who occupied the park had the opportunity to taste authentic Japanese food, appreciate the authentic decoration, and also participate in a live performance of traditional Japanese dance by ChihocoYanagi, ambassador and performer of Shin Buyo, the innovative and contemporary version of the traditional Nihon Buyo dance.
The event was graced with the presence and greetings of the President of OPANDA, Ms. Eleni Zontirou, the Ambassador of Japan to Greece, Mr. KoichiITO, and the General Manager of JTI Greece, Ms. Lili Zigoslu. She expressed her gratitude to the Municipality of Athens and the Embassy of Japan for the trust they have placed in JTI. At the same time, she thanked Mr. Antonis Skordilis, Managing Director of the landscape architecture company Ecoscapes, who together with his team took on the design and implementation of the project three years ago and continues to take care of the preservation of the park, and reiterated JTI’s commitment to continue its maintenance without interruption. As Ms. LiliZigoslu stated, “It is a great pleasure that for the third consecutive year we are supporting the ‘Natsu Matsuri’ in the first Japanese public park in Athens. This initiative reflects JTI’s firm and unwavering commitment to creating sustainable spaces that enhance the quality of life in our city. The Japanese Park in Pagrati is not only a haven of natural beauty, but also a living example of the harmonious coexistence of different cultures.”
The Japanese park today
O Japanese Park of Athens is the city’s first theme park and a Japanese-themed ‘green oasis’ in front of the National Gallery. The project was carried out under the “Adopt Your City” programme of the Municipality of Athens with the support of JTIHellas. It is part of the wider network of green spaces (Green Network) in the city centre, providing significant environmental and social benefits to the city and making a significant contribution to strengthening resilience in the face of the pressures of the climate crisis. It is bounded by Michalakopoulou Street, Niriidoon Street and Vasileos Alexandrou Avenue. It has five entrances and is easily accessible as it is located within walking distance of the National Gallery, the Byzantine Museum and other iconic buildings of Athens.
Two and a half years after the completion of its reconstruction, Athens’ Japanese Park has emerged as one of the city’s most beloved green spaces, as residents have “embraced” it, even creating an association of Friends of Japanese Park. Cherry blossoms bloom in early spring, Japanese maples with their distinctive foliage and colors mix with angelicas, privet, myrtles and Japanese-style laurels, giving their shape and textures a combination of Japanese and Mediterranean flora.
The innovative design of the space was based on “Biophilic Design”, which meets the innate need of humans to get in touch with nature in the modern environment. It combines symbolism and elements from various periods of Japanese tradition, and the alternations in the landscape capture the principles of Japanese culture for a balanced representation and symbiosis of the elements of earth and water. The park also includes stone paths that cross it, thus facilitating the passage of all visitors to and from all directions.