CEAL

29/09/2026

🌸🎶 a dream is coming true again! 🇯🇵

We are absolutely delighted to welcome the wonderful Japanese musicians Yurina Hamano and Hirosato back to Utrecht for another special concert!

When we started Japan Fans, one of our biggest dreams was to bring Japanese musicians to Utrecht, creating opportunities for people to experience Japanese music live and connect through the beauty of music and culture.

And now, through CEAL (Centre for Enthusiasts of Asian Languages) and our collaboration with the Bibliotheek Utrecht , that dream has become a reality! Seeing it grow into something that brings musicians and audiences together, and welcoming Yurina and Hirosato back for a second performance, makes us incredibly happy. 💜

Join us for an afternoon of beautiful Japanese music, followed by a Q&A with the musicians, led by Aki-sensei.

📅 Friday, 2 October 2026
🕜 13:30
📍 Tribune, Leidsche Rijn Centre Library, Utrecht

We can’t wait to share this musical afternoon with you! 🌸

29/09/2026

29/09/2026

25/09/2026

🎉 Hooray! Today is finally the day we’ve been looking forward to for so long! 🇯🇵📚

Today we’re celebrating the official opening of the Japanese Bookcase at the library! 🎌✨

Come and celebrate this special moment with us, discover the new Japanese collection, and enjoy a little taste of Japan right here in Utrecht. 💜

Will you be joining us today? We’d love to see you there! 🌸

More information: https://bibliotheekutrecht.op-shop.nl/9720/opening-keuzekast-van-japan-liefhebbers/25-09-2026 .

07/08/2026

✨ This weekend, you'll find a little piece of Japan at Abunai! 2026: Case Closed! 🇯🇵

We're delighted to share that Marieke Hofkens - Suppers, Secretary of the Japan Fans Foundation (the organisation that laid the foundations for what is now CEAL), will be running a series of wonderful Kimono 101 and Obi Musubi workshops.

Through her own initiative, Otenba Suzume, Marieke is dedicated to preserving and sharing Japanese kimono culture. She is also building a kimono museum and kimono library, creating a unique space where these beautiful garments and their stories can be appreciated for generations to come.

This weekend, she'll be teaching visitors how to wear a kimono correctly and discover fun new ways to tie an obi. Whether you're completely new to kimono or already a fan of Japanese culture, these workshops are a fantastic opportunity to learn from someone with years of passion and expertise.

If you're visiting Abunai! this weekend, be sure to stop by Room 45 and say hello! We hope to see you there. 🌸👘

05/08/2026

✨ We were delighted to collaborate with Stichting Kunstkompas for a wonderful Chinese ink painting workshop in the neighbourhood! 🖌️

Our heartfelt thanks to Wanmin & Martine for introducing participants to the beautiful art of traditional Chinese ink painting! Despite the weather sending us on an unexpected indoor adventure, creativity continued to flow. It was inspiring to see twenty participants, many trying Chinese ink painting for the very first time, each discovering their own unique artistic style.

A big thank you to Stichting Kunstkompas for this lovely write-up, and to everyone who joined us. We hope to see you again at another CEAL event soon!

📖 Read the full story here: https://stichtingkunstkompas.nl/index.php/2026/08/05/inktschilderen-in-chinese-stijl-met-stichting-ceal/ .

12/07/2026

🇯🇵🍙 Learning Japanese... one onigiri at a time!

At CEAL, we believe that language learning happens far beyond the classroom. That's why we regularly organise fun cultural activities alongside our lessons.

Last Friday, two Japanese friends of our wonderful Yuko-sensei visited the Japan Fans with their food truck, .food2026. We had the chance to order delicious onigiri, freshly made takoyaki, and refreshing drinks... but there was one little twist!

For this special occasion, they pretended they could only speak Japanese. 🤭

The funny thing is that they actually speak English and Dutch far better than most of us speak Japanese! 😂 It was a real challenge, but thanks to Yuko-sensei's excellent lessons, everyone managed remarkably well. And whenever someone got stuck, we simply helped each other.

Learning a language should be practical, social, and above all... fun!

What a wonderful afternoon. Delicious food, lots of laughter, and plenty of Japanese conversation. We can't wait for the next adventure! 🍙🇯🇵✨