“Sisirmuka Ainu Cultural Festival” Experience the Ainu language and traditional dance

The 36th “Sisirmuka Ainu Cultural Festival” will be held. Everyone is welcome to attend.

“Sisirmuka Ainu Cultural Festival”
Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12:00–3:10 p.m.
Venue: Biratori Town Central Community Center (88-1 Honcho, Biratori, Saru District, Hokkaido)
Organizers: Biratori Ainu Association; Biratori Ainu Cultural Preservation Society; Biratori Nibutani Ainu Language Class
Contact: Biratori Ainu Association Office (Tel: +81-1457-2-2341)

Program
12:00 Opening ceremony
12:30 Ainu language presentations — Children’s class, Nibutani Ainu Language School
(Songs: 4 pieces; self-introductions in Ainu, etc.)
1:00 Oral literature — Adult class, Nibutani Ainu Language School
kamuyyukar (songs of the gods): 6 pieces; yukar (heroic epics): 3 pieces; uwepeker (folktales); iyonnokka (lullaby); yaysama (improvised song)
1:30 Traditional dance — Biratori Ainu Cultural Preservation Society
1:50 Break
2:00 Special recitation (speech) — Takahashi Yuki
Grand Prize winner, Speech Division, the 29th “itakanro”
Award-winning performance: a story about smoking venison
2:10 Project report — Hosted by the Biratori Town Board of Education
Report on the Biratori Youth International Exchange Program “Hawaii Study Tour”
2:35 Special performance (traditional dance) — Samani Ethnic Culture Preservation Society
Five traditional dance pieces
3:05 Closing remarks / Closing ceremony

*Program and schedule are subject to change.