The opening ceremony of the 14th Edition of Tingatinga Exhibitions was held on April 29, 2023, at the Gallery Paris in Nana-ku, Yokohama. H.E. Ambassador Baraka Luvanda graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Ambassador Luvanda accompanied by Embassy officials received a warm welcome from Mr. Tsuyoshi Shimaoka, the Chairman of Baraka Co. Ltd, and Mrs. Yumiko Shimaoka, Director of Baraka Co. Ltd who are the organizers of the event. Mr. Shinichi Goto, former Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania also attended the event.
The Tingatinga Exhibition in Yokohama kicked off on April 28, 2023, and will run for 10 days until May 8, 2023. From May 19 to 28, 2023 Nagoya Prefecture will host the event at the Myokoen Museum in Nana-ku, Nagoya, as the 16th Nagoya Exhibition. This year's theme is "KAKEHASHI," which alludes to the bridge that connects Tanzania and Japan.
Tingatinga is a contemporary art which originated in Tanzania, depicting the nature, animals, culture, and history of Tanzania. The exhibitions are organized every year, by Mr and Mrs Shimaoka, who have been living in Zanzibar for more than 30 years. The company has been organizing Tingatinga exhibitions in Yokohama and Nagoya since 2008 to support Tanzania’s local artists.
Mr. Shimaoka and his wife not only do business in Tanzania but also teach Judo to the youth of Tanzania (Zanzibar Judo Association) and support artists from Tingatinga art village based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Embassy and Baraka Company work closely to promote Tanzania's tourist destinations, historical sites, and locally produced products like traditional and tribal outfits (kanga and vitenge), cashew nuts and dates, as well as beverages like Africafe coffee, African pride tea, and Zanzibar mixed spices.
