Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the National Cherry Blossom Festival was held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at The Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. This event marked the beginning of the four-week-long celebration of Spring and the 112th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC. It also celebrated the friendship between Japan and the United States with unique performances.
The Opening Ceremony was a vibrant showcase of music, dance, and cultural tribute, featuring performances by included Kaoru Watanabe's engaging music, Jo Kanamori's choreography with The Washington Ballet, and Naotaro Moriyama's performance. The event, co-presented with The Japan Foundation, showcased a blend of cultural expressions and was available for live-streaming, ensuring wide accessibility.