3 NIKKEI GROUPS TO RECALL VISITS TO JAPANESE CUBANS ON SEPT. 6

Three Nikkei groups will recount their experiences in separate trips to visit Japanese Cubans, a tiny community struggling for cultural survival, in a special public program and video screening set for the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo on Saturday, Sept. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. This program was co-sponsored by Discover Nikkei, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, Tsukimi Kai, and Chodee Without Borders.

"Nikkei in Cuba: Reflections from Three U.S. Nikkei Groups" features representatives from three organizations who traveled to Cuba to make contact with Japanese Cubans: Tsukimi Kai, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), and Choodee Without Borders. It has been estimated that around 1,300 Nikkei live in Cuba today, but because of the current political situation, they are cut off from most direct contact with other Nikkei in the Americas.

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, this time bringing mochi (pounded sweet rice cakes) to celebrate Oshogatsu or New Year’s. They also brought 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 to North America.

The program will feature video presentations by the three Nikkei groups and a panel discussion of relating their experiences. This program is free to National Museum members or with general admission. Reservations are required to (213) 625-0414 ext. 2222, or rsvp@janm.org (subject: Nikkei in Cuba). The program will be followed by a light reception with special cultural performances.

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. For more information, visit DiscoverNikkei.org for interviews, articles and other resources about Nikkei communities around the world.