Japanese Summer Festival Coming to Shambellie House This August

Japanese Summer Festival, Shambellie House. 24th and 25th August 2024

Shambellie House is delighted to be hosting a celebration of Japanese Culture with a summer festival open to all. JET AA Scotland have prepared an exciting and varied programme offering Japanese activities, talks, demonstrations and entertainment at Shambellie House and Grounds over the weekend of 24th & 25th August.

The festival, which has been organised by JETAA Scotland in partnership with Shambellie House, is supported by The Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh, Japan Society of Scotland, and JLGC London.

 The Trustees of Shambellie House are honoured to host this very special weekend of culture, art and entertainment.

They extend an invitation to families from Dumfries and beyond to come along for the chance to experience and enjoy the breadth of Japanese culture including demonstrations of archery, karate, poetry, singing and dancing, and dressing in the traditional yukata. Photography, paintings, quilts and kimonos will be on exhibition and The Clan Sumo Scotland will be there! The event is also sponsored by local company Mylar. DG Unlimited is supporting Shambellie house with event advice. Food will be available from local business, Sushi City, as well as tea/coffee and snacks served by Shambellie House volunteers.

Cosplay and Manga at Shambellie

Shambellie are running competitions in Cosplay and Manga for children on Saturday 24 th , with prizes generously provided by Japan Society of Scotland. The Manga Drawing Competition, using Shambellie’s digital suite, is open to all children aged 15 and under. There are 18 places available to register your child’s interest without delay. Email [email protected] giving your age, introducing yourself and describing your interest in Japan. Entries close 19 th August. The Cosplay is open to all age groups and will be judged at the end of the day on Saturday 24 th . Details on both competitions can be found on the Shambellie House Facebook page.

A cultural experience for Dumfries!

Zeljka Letica Scotland Chapter Chair | スコットランド支部部長 of the JET Programme Alumni Association UK |英国 ジェットプログラム同窓会 said,

“We at JETAA Scotland are thrilled to have the opportunity to cooperate with Shambellie House, The Consulate General of Japan, The Japan Society of Scotland, The JLGC London, The Clan Sumo Scotland and with each and every festival participant and volunteer who have taken time and enthusiastic effort to work on this beautiful event. We hope this will lay the foundations for future Japanese festivals in Dumfries and Galloway. This is a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and to remember that both Scottish and Japanese culture have a lot to offer each other with strong historical and economic ties. Thank you all for sharing common love for Japanese culture and art and celebrating Japan and Scotland together!”

Ann Hill, BEM, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Shambellie House said “A chance meeting between two Shetlanders brought this exciting festival to Shambellie House. After “Kynapping” (Shetland word for talking) to Zeljka Letica and her husband Stephen Greig, who grew up around the corner from me in Lerwick, Shambellie has the wonderful opportunity to host this special event and bring the colour and culture of Japan to Dumfries and Galloway. We all look forward to learning about and sampling the beauty and history of Japanese culture.”

Tabitha Mudaliar, Director of DG Unlimited said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Shambellie House and DG Unlimited are delighted to be able to provide event advice and support to the Trust for this important cultural event.”

Tickets are available on the Shambellie House website and are going fast.

Under 12’s are free and concessions are available at time of booking. We advise families to plan ahead as parking is very limited.

The 372 bus from Dumfries/Sandyhills will drop and pick up at the foot of Shambellie House drive and we encourage everyone to use public transport if possible.