This is a non-exhaustive list of special events held by the Israel-Japan Friendship Association in the past:   Multi-participant events Tanabata – a colorful, mass picnic celebration (more than 1,500 people in 1999) was held in the National Park of Ramat Gan on the occasion of Tanabata, a Japanese holiday celebrated on July 7th. The event included performances, creative workshops and crafts and food booths. A similar event was held in 1998 in Kibbutz Givat Hashlosha in collaboration with the Japanese community of Israel.   Celebrated in Japan in July or august 7th, the Tanabata is the lovers' holiday and one of Japan's five most important festivals (the others being Sekku – girls' day – on March 3, the boys' day on May 5th, and the chrysanthemum festival on September 9th). Tanabata is stems from a Chinese folk tale about two starts: the weavers star (Vega) and the shepherds star (Altair), which were in love but could only meet once a year. In China, the holiday was celebrated mainly by women, who lit incense and prayed to Vega for success in love and in the crafts of weaving, embroidery and calligraphy. The festival was adopted by the Japanese, who believed that the weavers' star is responsible for preparing the cloths of Japan's gods. During the Tanabata, it is customary to tie paper ribbons, on which people write poems and requests, on a bamboo poll and place the poll at the entrance to the house. When the festival is over, the bamboo polls are thrown into the river. This is a colorful festival which we hope to continue celebrating together with the Jewish love festival.   Special Conferences The year of the dragon – a special event held towards year 2000. the event included a lecture by Prof. Jacob Raz and various performances. The Kabuki theatre – lecture and demonstrations by Dr. Zvi Serfer. Festive events on the publication of books on Japan, including lectures by the authors – Prof. Ben Ami Shiloni and Prof. Jacob Raz. Performance of Kwasemi za – the Japanese marionette theatre in collaboration with the Japanese embassy, held on February 10.   Performances Drum concert Shakuhatchi concert Koto concert Japanese dance Calligraphy demonstration marionette theatre Art installation by architect Shin Takamatsu.   Regular Events Shishagrirut every month, on noontime of the last Friday of the month, the Association holds a meeting in the library room of the embassy of Japan, cordiality of the Japanese embassy. The meeting includes a lecture on Japan's society and culture from a specific perspective. Many of the lectures stress the visual-artistic aspects of japans culture. The lectures are given by experts on various areas related to Japan. The lectures are available free of charge to the association members as well as to anyone interested in Japan's culture. However, early registration by telephone in required as the number of places is limited. Association members enjoy a priority for lectures in which the number of interested listeners is larger than the number of available seats. The meetings are not held during the summer.   Special Activities Educational website (www.japangeo.or.il) on Japan, developed together by the Japanese embassy and the Ministry of Education. Refresher courses for teachers on Japan held in collaboration by Japan's embassy and the Ministry of Education. Sponsorship to artists working on Japanese themes or in traditional Japanese techniques. Collaboration with the Tel Aviv University in the Japan Studies Foundation.   Events in Jerusalem Events in Jerusalem are held in collaboration with Amim youth center at the initiative of Dr. Uri Epstein, member of the association's management and chairman of the local chapter.   See "forums" for upcoming events