The Médiathèque Caroline is celebrating Japanese culture throughout October, marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Monaco and Japan with a programme dedicated to the country’s artistic traditions.
As part of the initiative, a Japanese ink painting workshop was held on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 21, led by artist Richard Seren, introducing participants to the traditional technique known as Sumi-e.
The term combines the Japanese words sumi, meaning black ink, and e, meaning painting. The art form uses ink to create expressive images inspired by the natural world, including flowers, animals and landscapes.
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The workshop offered participants an opportunity to explore a traditional Japanese art form while discovering a technique that relies on the expressive use of ink to capture the essential features of a subject.
Monaco and Japan formally established diplomatic relations on December 14, 2006, although links between the two countries’ ruling families date back much further. The 20th anniversary is being marked throughout 2026 with initiatives celebrating their relationship, including cultural events introducing Japanese traditions and contemporary creativity to audiences in the Principality.
Among the anniversary celebrations, a Japan Day was held at Monaco’s Japanese Garden in March, featuring cultural activities, traditional crafts and artistic performances. The October programme at the Médiathèque Caroline continues these efforts to promote Japanese culture and strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Image courtesy of Direction de la Communication – Stéphane Danna
