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Three years ago, a small group of young people from the MJC of Lamballe (Côtes-d’Armor) had set himself a major challenge: to set out to discover the Japan.
After 12 months of involvement and collective work, their dream finally came true. From July 28 to August 8, 21 participants aged 16 to 24 crossed the planet to live a human and cultural experience out of the ordinary.
A symbolic invitation to Hiroshima
This trip was part of an invitation from the Peace movementaddressed to 70 young people from the MJCs of Saint-Brieuc, Bgard, Quintin and Lamballe, to participate in the Hiroshima commemorations.
After 18 hours of transport and a stopover in India, the group discovered the symbolic city, forever marked by History.
On site, the young people witnessed highlights full of emotion and memory. In particular, they met a survivor of the atomic bombingwho told them: “Being Hibakusha was frowned upon, today it’s less taboo. » Hibakusha is the term for a person affected by the bomb.
Young people were deeply touched by this direct transmission of history, especially since, from a very young age, Japanese children learn about this period directly.
Between tradition and modernity
Their journey then continued to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyoallowing them to discover a multiple Japan: modern, traditional, vibrant and respectful of its past.
HAS Osaka, they were amazed by the beauty of the landscapes and the lively atmosphere of the port districts. They also visited the World Expo, an event focused on innovation and the meeting of world cultures.
HAS Kyoto, the ancient sanctuaries offered them a striking contrast with the large contemporary towers, while Tokyo, they observed the harmony between historic temples and illuminated skyscrapers.
A strong human and cultural experience
Despite the language barrier, communication quickly took place thanks to the curiosity and open-mindedness of the participants. Many were surprised by the affordable cost of food and came back with iconic memories, such as kimonos.
Over the days, young people have also observed cultural differences, particularly in social interactions between men and women, and have been enriched by this diversity.
Extension of the project
Back in Lamballe, the young people from the “From MJC to Japan” project meet every Friday at the youth center. Together, they work on the restitution of their trip, constructed as a report combining drawings, photographs and testimonies collected on site. This public presentation will take place before the end of the year.
And to extend the adventure, the MJC is already preparing a new edition of the Japan festivalscheduled for May 23 and 24, 2026, inspired by the experience in Japan.
A journey which, beyond the discovery, will have had a lasting impact on these young Lamballais, raising their awareness of peace, memory and the richness of intercultural exchanges.
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