Sakura Cherry Blossoms in Ontario 2022 (Update)

SAKURA, cherry blossoms, has played a significant part in the history of Japan-Canada relations since 1959 when the people of Tokyo presented 2,000 cherry trees to Toronto. Since then, Japanese and Japanese Canadian individuals and organizations have planted Sakura trees in various places around Ontario. A major example of this is the Sakura Project which planted 3082 Sakura trees around Ontario from 2000 to 2012. This year 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the completion of the project. The Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto organized a series of events and some interesting information on Sakura is as follows;

In autumn 2021, our Consulate-General held a social media campaign called the “Sakura Haiku Challenge”, inviting submission of Sakura-themed haiku from our followers. We received over 250 haiku not only from Ontario but around the world. We are now posting the submissions on our social media platforms (Twitter: @CGjapanTO; Facebook: facebook.com/JapanConsToronto). 

More information on the “Sakura Haiku Challenge” is available here for your reference: https://www.toronto.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_00238.html. 

The aim of the Sakura Project was to plant 3000 trees in Ontario. The Project concluded in 2012 after it planted 3082 Sakura trees at nearly 60 location in this province, including parks, universities, schools, and other facilities.  (Details:  https://www.toronto.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/english/sakura/main.html )

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of its completion, this electronic photobook was produced to show the current state of many of the trees donated by the Sakura Project.  You can download the booklet here: https://www.toronto.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_00300.html

Details on the reception held to commemorate this 10th Anniversary: 
https://twitter.com/CGjapanTO/status/1518987354438275075?cxt=HHwWhsDU-e28w5QqAAAA

(1) CBC's "Our Toronto" devotes an episode to Sakura: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2028596803759

(2) The Japanese Paper Place: “Sakura Sakura - Online juried exhibition”
This online exhibition invited submissions of art pieces on washi (traditional Japanese paper) with Sakura as the theme. You can see the submissions, including the juried winners, here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAE-WcOyXE8/mLGGyYkAFoMrnwIaLNXbwA/view

The Japanese Paper Palace is no longer accepting submissions, but here is information on the exhibition for your reference: 
https://www.facebook.com/thejpp/photos/pcb.10159227904187763/10159227904117763/

(3) Fujifilm Canada Spring Photos Sweepstakes
This online contest is accepting the submissions of a photo that celebrates the beauty of spring such as the photograph of the cherry blossoms that bloom here in Canada, or any other picture that celebrates spring and the renewal of life.
https://fujifilmprintlife.ca/fr/blogs/news/celebrate-spring-photo-sweepstakes#form-contest