Celebrating culture and community – Manchester’s Japan Week

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Sponsoring the celebrations

The Wythenshawe Forum hosted activities showcasing Japanese culture at this week’s Japan Week celebrations. As part of Manchester City Council’s city-wide cultural provision, the event offered an opportunity for the community to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of Japan, and we were pleased to play our part by sponsoring the Wythenshawe celebrations.

Having recently completed our newest Manchester data centre (MCR2) on our existing Manchester campus in the heart of Wythenshawe – the first tangible construction project in the £500m Wythenshawe regeneration – we are dedicated to creating lasting positive impacts in the area beyond our digital infrastructure. Sponsoring Japan Week was a perfect way to celebrate culture, foster community spirit, and connect with the people of Wythenshawe in a meaningful way.

A journey through Japanese traditions

For its Japan Week celebrations (from 4-9 September), demonstrations and hands-on workshops were held across Manchester, including:

  • a traditional tea ceremony (Sadō): a tea master guided participants through the mindful process of a Japanese tea ceremony. Observers learned about the symbolism behind every deliberate movement, gaining an appreciation for the harmony, respect, and tranquility at the heart of this ancient practice;
  • Ikebana workshop: visitors explored the poetic art of Japanese flower arrangement, which involves an understanding of space, balance, and the beauty of nature.
  • Japanese calligraphy (Shodō): attendees tried their hand at Japanese-style brush lettering;
  • martial arts demonstrations: demonstrations of Judo, Karate, and Jujitsu gave insight into the history and philosophy behind each form. There were even opportunities for attendees to try some simple techniques in guided sessions;
  • Samurai and Taiko drumming: the powerful beat of Taiko drums accompanied by Samurai performers, showcasing Japanese performance art;
  • Origami and traditional games: workshops showed how to turn a simple sheet of paper into intricate figures and people learned and played traditional Japanese interactive games.

Connecting with the community and investing in the region’s future

Beyond the cultural celebrations, Japan Week provided a valuable platform for us to engage directly with local residents and businesses. We set up a pop-up stand on the concourse to share information and chat with people about the opportunities we are creating in the area.

The completion of our new MCR2 data centre is a significant milestone, not only for our company but for the region. It represents a major investment in local infrastructure and job creation, reinforcing the region’s position as a vital digital hub. We believe that investing in both technological advancement and cultural enrichment is key to fostering a thriving community, and we look forward to continuing our support for local initiatives that benefit the community and wider region.

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