Major commemorative events at the state-run institution are scheduled for the autumn.
Established on November 30, 1994, the Manggha Museum was founded through the efforts of Polish film director Andrzej Wajda, with support from the Polish and Japanese governments as well as Kraków City Hall.
Wajda was inspired to create a home for the 6,500-item collection of Polish art collector Feliks "Manggha" Jasieński, which had previously been under-displayed due to lack of space.
Throughout the year, the museum has been celebrating its anniversary, but it has special events lined up for the coming months.
Katarzyna Nowak, the museum's director, said the institution is preparing three exhibitions that re-envision Jasieński's collection and pay tribute to both Wajda and his wife Krystyna Zachwatowicz-Wajda, highlighting their shared work and the ideals realized at the museum.
The museum's anniversary will also be marked by performances of modern and traditional Japanese theater arts, including the ancient art of Noh theater, as well as avant-garde Butoh dance, concerts, educational events, and the Manggha Matsuri, a festival of Japanese culture.
The Manggha Museum has expanded its activities over the years. Today it displays a wide array of Japanese art and technology and houses a Japanese language school. It also hosts tea ceremonies, calligraphy lessons and celebrates Japanese festivals.
In 2015, the museum opened the Europe–Far East Gallery next door.
The institution has also played a diplomatic role, hosting visits from Japanese luminaries such as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, as well as Japanese parliamentarians.
In partnership with Japanese collaborators, cherry blossom trees were planted along the Vistula River boulevards near the museum in 2018.
Attendance has surged post-COVID, with nearly 190,000 visitors last year, up from some 120,000 annually before the pandemic. This reflects a growing interest in Japanese culture in Europe, according to Nowak.
Pixabay License. Image by darkness_s from Pixabay
The museum originated from Wajda's vision after he received the Kyoto Prize and a USD 400,000 award in 1987, which he dedicated to establishing the museum. The project received enthusiastic financial support from the Japanese government and the public.
Originally an affiliate of the National Museum in Kraków, Manggha became a separate state institution following a decision by the Polish Ministry of Culture in 2007 and has since been building its own collection, enriched by generous donations.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP