When rice becomes art - Asia at Grüne Woche

Perhaps one of the most elaborate tributes at the Grüne Woche can be found at the Tajikistan stand. Measuring 1.35 meters wide and 60 centimeters high, it features rice grains stuck together, red lentils stuck to buckwheat and flax seeds, and lettering made from small green beans. “We arranged all the beans individually in the picture,” says Fayzimakhmad Amonov, head of the Department of International Relations at the Tajikistan Ministry of Agriculture.

The smallest country in Central Asia has been present at Grüne Woche for four years. The stand features almonds, walnuts, dried fruit, apples, and pomegranates grown in the country's fertile valleys, as well as honey from regional beekeepers and traditional handicrafts. A particular crowd-puller is the artistic Grüne Woche rice picture, which, according to Fayzimakhmad Amonov, took six people three days to complete before it was flown to Berlin.

Japanese rice balls to make yourself

Another work of art made from rice comes from Japan. It is called onigiri. Literally translated, this means “hand-pressed rice” or “rice dumpling.” This refers to traditional Japanese rice balls with various fillings such as salmon, plum, or vegetables, which are often shaped into triangles or balls and frequently wrapped in nori seaweed sheets. They are a handy snack for on the go or very popular as a lunch break treat. Unlike sushi, the rice is not acidified, and the filling is completely enclosed by the rice, which intensifies the flavors.

As part of the school program, the cooking workshop “How to Onigiri – The Japanese Butter Sandwich” will take place on Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23, in the “Home Green Home” area. Students will prepare their own onigiri together with show chef Mori. Visitors are welcome to watch.

Onigiri have become more popular in Germany and other countries not only because of their taste, but also because of their presence in anime and manga. Many people outside Japan have become aware of these typical Japanese rice balls through series and films, for example through scenes in which characters eat onigiri at picnics, while traveling, or simply as a snack.

Cosplay Championship at Grüne Woche

Aya isn't snacking on onigiri. The 21-year-old Berliner is jumping up and down, singing silently to the music and moving her arms. Anyone familiar with anime, manga, and video games will recognize Aya is portraying Hatsune Miku – a virtual singer from Japan who was created in 2007 as the voice for a music program called Vocaloid. Aya has been participating in cosplay championships since she was eleven years old, including the 12th Berlin Open Cosplay Championship, which is being held on stage at Grüne Woche.

She wears long turquoise braids, bright blue contact lenses, black arm warmers, and a short black pleated skirt. Cosplay is about portraying a manga, anime, or computer game character as faithfully as possible through costume and behavior during a stage performance. The word is a combination of “costume” and “play.” Cosplay originated in Japan in the 1980s, inspired by anime, manga, and video games. In Germany, cosplay became popular mainly in the 2000s, parallel to the growing interest in anime and Japanese pop culture. Cosplayers put a lot of time and effort into portraying the characters. They sometimes work on their costumes and performances for months.