Hinamatsuri – the Japanese “Doll Festival”

Like the artefacts found in the museum, the festivals observed here come from all regions of the world. One highlight in the event calendar is Hinamatsuri, the Japanese “Doll Festival” or “Girls’ Day”, which has been celebrated at the museum at the first weekend of March since 1993, accompanied by a programme specially conceived for young people. The festival expresses the wish of Japanese families for their daughters to grow up healthy and lead a fulfilled, happy life. A central element is the multi-tiered stage arrayed with dolls representing the Japanese imperial court, before which the girls serve food and drink to friends and family. Such a “mountain” of dolls is set up for Hinamatsuri in the museum as well. It was a gift from Hamburg’s sister city, Osaka, on the occasion of Hamburg’s first “Japan Week” in 1993.