When they first came to the District back in 1912 as a gift from a Tokyo mayor, cultural ambassadors doubted that Japanese cherry blossoms were strong enough to take root in D.C.’s soil. But now, 100 years later, the longevity of the brilliant blooms has proven these amateur botanists incorrect. This year, the centennial 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival reveals this same strength in the Japanese people, reflecting on the March 2011 tsunamis while celebrating the enduring spirit of Japan.
This year, the festival has woven films and art galleries depicting the Fukushima tragedy among the usual calendar of parades and dances. One of such events is a screening of the Oscar-nominated The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom, which, according to the festival’s website, “links the disaster with the power of Japan’s most beloved flower to heal and inspire.” 2:46 and Thereafter, an exhibit at Pepco’s Edison Place Gallery, will display emerging Japanese artists’ work in response to the catastrophe through March 25.
The programming kicked off on Tuesday with a “Pink Tie Party” fundraiser, which brought together culinary powerhouses José Andrés and Roy Yamaguchi. The festival packs in a full schedule over five weeks, rather than the usual two, to fully celebrate the centennial of Japan’s prolific gift. Close to home, the 2nd Annual Bike Ride and Cycle Expo will take place at the Georgetown Waterfront. The Blossom Kite Festival on March 31, an annual festival favorite, looks to be a spectacle on the Washington Monument grounds.
The centerpiece of the Japanese events is the April 14 Japanese Street Festival; the largest cultural festival of its kind in the U.S., it figures to be a utopia for sushi and J-Pop enthusiasts. Other highlights include the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, which features a Food Truck Rally in addition to live entertainment and a firework display.
According to the festival’s website, The Cherry Blast: Art + Music Dance Party will entertain with “cutting-edge DJs and cool sensory experiences.” The festival’s true and much less trippy tour de force, however, is the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 14. Featuring flower-covered floats and international marching bands, the Parade is arguably the festival’s greatest spectacle—it might even inspire you to pull a Ferris Bueller and take part in the event yourself.
