The Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University hosted a concert by the
Japanese musical group Hanamas on
October 30. Deputy Rector of TSU, Professor Marine Chitashvili, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Georgia, Toshio Kaitani, TSU students, academic staff and representatives of the Japanese Embassy attended the event. The concert was organized by the Embassy of Japan to Georgia.
Deputy Rector Marine Chitashvili said that “Japanese music concert, which was offered by the Embassy, is an important event for the university. There is a Far East program implemented at TSU, which is led by Professor Nana Gelashvili. No event related to Japanese culture has been held in Georgia since the Kabuki theatre. The today’s event has simultaneously an educational, cognitive and cultural nature and it promotes a dialogue between the peoples and various cultures.”
“The musical group Hanamas, which is very famous in Japan and outside its limits, will start its tour to Georgia from TSU. On November 2 and 3 the concerts will be held in Kutaisi and Batumi, respectively. I hope that Georgian public will listen to Japanese music with great interest,” Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Japan to Georgia, Norihiko Nakajima said.
Japanese-Western group Hanamas was formed in 2009 by Chie Hanawa (tsugaru-shamisen player) and Natsumi Okimasu (violinist). Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, both have been playing active roles in a variety of music genres. Within their pop sounds and melodies, Hanamas is making the most of characteristics of each instruments, and, at the same time, fusing them. The group was awarded the Prize for Encouragement at 1st Neo Classical International Competition in 2010. In 2011, Hanamas was officially licensed as a “Heaven Artist” by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
