Leiden University is pleased to announce a special presentation by four young craftsmen and language enthusiasts from the Ainu community in Biratori, Hokkaido, Japan, to be held on Monday 30 June 2025. They share their profound interest in Ainu knowledge and material culture through the promotional organization of Biratori town. For their presentation at Leiden University, they will focus on Ainu language, both in conversation and in stories/song. Those attending are invited to learn Ainu language basics and some word games, gain understanding of how Ainu language survives today, and appreciate how Ainu language is situated in the larger frame of languages spoken in Japan.

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The presentation starts with a short introduction of the study of Ainu language and culture in Leiden in the last two centuries. The language session is followed by a pop-up display of historic materials from Leiden University’s Special Collections associated with the region that is known as Hokkaido today, such as maps and dictionaries.

After the presentations and pop up there will be time to mingle with drinks and a bite, courtesy of the Isaac Alfred Ailion Foundation. 

Further enquiries via Daan Kok: daan.kok@wereldmuseum.nl

Tomoya Okamoto - Ainu Forum presentation

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