Nikkei in Cuba program on September 6, 2008 in Los Angeles

Nikkei in Cuba: Reflections from Three U.S. Nikkei Groups

Saturday, September 6, 2008
Panel & Videos 2-4pm
Light reception follows with special cultural performances

Did you know there are about 1,300 Nikkei currently living in Cuba? Although their numbers are small, Nikkei can be found in every province of Cuba with the largest concentration in Havana.

In 2001, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress organized the first group visit by U.S. Nikkei to the Nikkei community in Cuba, and celebrated Obon with the small community on the Isle of Youth. In 2005, Tsukimi kai organized northern California Nikkei to bring taiko performances to Cuba and again celebrate Obon. Tsukimi kai returned in 2006 to break the blockade with mochi and celebrate Oshogatsu, this time bringing a shiisaa (Okinawan Lion). In 2007, Choodee without Borders brought Okinawans in the U.S. to Cuba to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Okinawan migration here. Come learn about the parallels between Cuban and U.S. Nikkei history and the creativity of the tiny Nikkei community as it struggles for cultural survival.

FREE with Museum admission. RSVP required to 213.625.0414 ext. 2222, or rsvp@janm.org (subject: Nikkei in Cuba).

Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

This program is co-sponsored by Discover Nikkei, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, Tsukimi Kai, and Choodee without Borders. Discover Nikkei, a project of the Japanese American National Museum, is made possible through the generous support of The Nippon Foundation. The National Japanese American Historical Society is the fiscal sponsor of Tsukimi Kai.

Photo: Yonsei Cubans at Oshogatsu 2007. Courtesy of Fumi Suzuki, Tsukimi Kai.