Japan Foundation Travelling Exhibition "NINGYO: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls" at Lusaka National Museum
From 1st to 31st August 2024, the special exhibition "Ningyo: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls" was jointly organised by the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in Zambia, in close cooperation with the Lusaka National Museum. It was part of the travelling exhibition programmes of the Japan Foundation, a Japanese institute that aims to promote Japanese arts and culture and international cultural exchange. It was the first time that a travelling exhibition of the Japan Foundation was held in Zambia, and the first time after 5 years in the Sub-Saharan region.
The history of Japanese dolls dates back to over 1000 years ago and in the last 400 years it has spread to the public and been recognised as a culture. This large-scale exhibition featured about 70 authentic Japanese dolls with unique styles and inspiring colours from different regions of Japan, divided into four thematic categories.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on 1st August, Ambassador Takeuchi recalled that 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Zambia, and expressed his hope that this exhibition would introduce and inspire visitors to various aspects of Japan and contribute to further deepening relations between the two countries.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba, M.P., Mr Evans Muhanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, expressed gratitude for Japan's support in the field of culture, citing Japan's support of $680,000 for the upgrading of the Livingstone Museum.
The dolls exhibition was held in parallel with the JICA photo exhibition entitled "60 Years of Cooperation and Friendship, from Japan to Zambia" in the same hall of the museum. During the exhibition, about 6,000 people visited the museum and enjoyed these double exhibitions.