Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518068
NEWS 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MARCH 2024 THE Embassy of Japan in Italy and Ikenobo Study Group Ita- lia, in collaboration with Bonsai Culture Group Malta and Mal- ta-Japan Chamber of Commerce (MJCC) will today present the event "Art of Ikebana: Attractive Traditional Japanese Flower Ar- rangement" at Spazju Kreattiv, inside St James Cavalier in Val- letta. This will be a unique opportuni- ty for participants to get in touch with the very essence of Japanese culture. Ikebana, the Japanese tradition- al flower arrangement, is said to have originated from religious offerings of flowers from a monk before the Buddhist deities in Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto. Ikebana developed as decora- tions for the Japanese zashiki rooms throughout the Muroma- chi Era (14th-16th centuries), as architectural styles in Japan were going through significant chang- es. This Japanese traditional cul- ture has nowadays spread all over the world and has developed globally, incorporating flowers and plants from different regions. During the event, instructors of Ikenobo, the largest and oldest school of Ikebana led by Kura- ta Yoko, will give a lecture and demonstration of Ikebana using plants available in Malta. They will try to convey the at- tractive traditional art of Ikebana to the Maltese people. In Ikebana, the naturally chang- ing shapes of plants, along with its' life at various stages are cel- ebrated. Participants will be able to see and feel each of the plants as it lives for the moment. The event is free admission up- on registration. Ikenobo School The Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto, where Ikebana was born, is said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku about 1400 years ago. Priests who made floral offer- ings at the Buddhist altar of this temple lived near a pond ("ike" in Japanese), in a small hut (called "bo" in Japanese). For this reason people began to call the priests by the name "Ikenobo." In 1462 the name Senkei Ike- nobo first appeared in historic records as "master of flower ar- ranging." Senno Ikenobo, who was active in the late Muromachi period (mid-16th century), estab- lished the philosophy of ikeba- na, completing a compilation of Ikenobo teachings called "Senno Kuden." Senno Ikenobo taught, "Not on- ly beautiful flowers but also buds and withered flowers have life, and each has its own beauty. By arranging flowers with reverence, one refines oneself." Kurata Yoko, Instructor of the Ikenobo School Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Kurata Yoko graduated from San Diego State University. She is currently an instructor of Ikebana from the Ikenobo School and has conducted demonstra- tions, exhibitions and workshops all over Italy. She has carried out events from Palazzo Pitti in Florence during the Japan Festival to prestigious venues in Rome such as Sala Santa Rita, the National Muse- um of Oriental Art, MAXXI, the Japanese Cultural Institute, and events in Abruzzo and Spoleto. Kurata also collaborated on the Ikebana demonstrations organ- ised for the EXPO Milan 2015. She has also held demonstrations and workshops at the San Diegui- to Academy in the United States. Embassy of Japan and Ikenobo School bring traditional Japanese flower arrangement, Ikebana, to Malta HSBC Foundation Malta spearheads 20th edition of the Nationwide CSR Day Initiative NUMEROUS leading compa- nies, government agencies and educational institutions across Malta have joined forces for the highly anticipated CSR Day, an initiative coordinated by the HS- BC Foundation Malta under the esteemed patronage of the Pres- ident of Malta. This event aims to unite businesses, schools, and agencies in a concerted effort to give back to the community through various philanthropic activities. The CSR Day, which is taking place during the last two weeks of March will see representatives of companies from various sec- tors contributing their time and resources to support a range of causes and NGOs across the is- land. Farsons Group employees are volunteering at Fondazzjoni Dar il-Hena, offering their support in meal preparation and service at the foundation's shelters. MAPFRE Middlesea plc is ded- icating its efforts to assist the Building Bridges Association, with volunteers engaging in or- ganizing and cleaning the asso- ciation's shop, showcasing the power of teamwork in communi- ty service. Mater Boni Consilii St Joseph School in Paola is rallying its stu- dents, parents, and staff to collect food items for the needy. EY Malta is organising an en- vironmental cleanup in Wied Qirda, Żebbuġ, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship. Similarly, San Ġorġ Preca College, Ħamrun Second- ary School (Liċeo) is focusing on intergenerational connection, with students spending valuable time with the elderly at Roseville home in Attard. The CSR initiatives extend to various sectors, with compa- nies like Seifert who are under- taking a clean-up in Għargħur (Top of the World) with the Salesian Community and ed- ucational institutions such as St Albert College Valletta, St Monica School B'Kara and San Ġorġ Preca Middle School Bla- ta l-Bajda who are undertak- ing diverse projects to support for local charities such as The Soup Kitchen in Valletta, Smil- ing with Jerome Foundation, the Malta Down Syndrome As- sociation and the Little Sisters of the Poor in Ħamrun. The Medicines Authority which joined this initiative for the first time will be holding a cake and sweet sale. The HSBC Malta Foundation continues its tradition of impact- ful engagement, this time focus- ing on the Females Unit at San Blas in Żebbuġ, where volunteers will integrate with residents in their daily activities, emphasizing the importance of community and support. Representatives of the various companies, schools and government agency participating in the CSR Day