At the festival “Japan–Ukraine: Dialogue,” works by masters of Japanese woodblock printing—Katsushika Hokusai, Kitagawa Utamaro, and Kitagawa (Kitao) Masanobu—were presented alongside works by outstanding Ukrainian graphic artists and original editions featuring illustrations by Anatol Petrytskyi, Vasyl Sedliar, and Heorhii Narbut.
The influence of Japanese culture on the development of European art is well known, but there were also reverse connections. A special place in the exhibition was devoted to works by the Ukrainian avant-garde artist David Burliuk. He was among the first European artists to introduce Futurism to Japan. In 1920–1922, Burliuk held a number of exhibitions of contemporary art in Tokyo, where, among others, works by Kazimir Malevich and Vladimir Tatlin were shown.
A fashion show by renowned Ukrainian designer Fedor Vozianov was followed by an exhibition of vintage Japanese kimonos from the collection of Tetiana Vovk, as well as jewelry by Tetiana Chorna inspired by origami. The exhibition also featured a collaborative project by artist Anastasiia Podervianska and designer Liliia Bratus, “PortraitCoat”—a unique collection of kimono-style coats adorned with hand embroidery.
An original combination of the bandura and the Japanese flute, performed by Roman Hrynkiv and Un Ryuu, opened the festival’s musical program.
The festival program also included film screenings, workshops, lectures, and discussions.