This was the second year that Kizuna, the festival dedicated to the culture of Japan-its cuisine, its art, its history-has landed in Rome. This year the Officine Farneto space on the weekend of October 24-26 was transformed into a corner of 1980s Tokyo. Iolanda Maggio tells us about it.
A time capsule away from the chaos of the capital city
Leaving behind the tam tam of the Capital, I crossed the threshold of Kizuna and felt transported as if from a time capsule into a magical atmosphere. Paper lamps, wooden booths, oriental scents and old-fashioned posters.
As many as fifteen food stands set up as real izakaia, two bars, a Sake Bar and a temporary restaurant, and an upstairs marketplace. A feast for the eyes and the palate. Samples of soups, street food, noodles, Hiromi Cake’s sweet treats, lots of show cooking and workshops. I attended, among others, a Japanese sword fighting demonstration with an account by the swordmaster of techniques from the oldest to the most modern school. Concentrating millennia of history in a few words with a fascinating and engaging story.
From Rome to Tokyo without going through the airport
For those whose dream is to one day go to the Land of the Rising Sun and for those who have been there but with nostalgia would like to return, Kizuna has offered a flying carpet. From Rome to Tokyo without going to the airport to get closer to Japanese culture, traditional cuisine and typical ceramics, silk kimonos, spices, handicrafts and bonsai.
A well-organized space despite the massive volume of visitors, exquisite dishes freshly made and wonderful demonstrations including calligraphy and origami demonstrations. Fascinating.
And I’m already looking forward to next year so that I won’t miss the next edition of Kizuna in Rome, because its entrance ticket is as good as a stamp on a virtual passport and satisfies the urge to leave while remaining just a few minutes from home.
PHOTO GALLERY.
