The Japanese Embassy in Morocco held an ikebana workshop in Rabat on Tuesday, October 27, in partnership with the Al Mada Foundation, introducing participants to the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. The event was part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Japan.
Also known as kadō, or “the way of flowers,” ikebana involves arranging flowers, branches and foliage to create harmony through shapes, lines and the use of space. Its name literally means “making flowers live.”
The workshop was attended by Japan’s ambassador to Morocco, Nakata Masahiro, and representatives of the Al Mada Foundation. It was led by Tatjana R. Felberg, an ikebana instructor from the Sogetsu school.
According to a statement, the session allowed participants to “discover the principles and techniques of this ancient Japanese art, which involves creating harmonious arrangements from flowers, branches and foliage.”
Ikebana is known for placing “particular importance on balance, lines and space,” the statement added.
“Far beyond simple flower arranging, ikebana expresses an aesthetic sensibility deeply connected to nature and Japanese philosophy,” the organizers said.
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The art form “celebrates simplicity, harmony and the natural beauty of plants, while encouraging close attention to every element of an arrangement.”
Through the workshop, participants “were able to appreciate the richness of this artistic tradition and discover an emblematic aspect of Japanese culture.”
The initiative forms part of a broader program of events marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Japan. According to the organizers, it reflects the Japanese Embassy’s commitment to “promoting” Japanese culture in Morocco, strengthening friendship between the two countries and encouraging “intercultural dialogue through arts and traditions.”
The workshop brought a distinctive element of Japanese culture to Rabat, using flowers, balance and simplicity to create another opportunity for cultural exchange as the two countries mark seven decades of diplomatic ties.
