Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Opening the 37th Edition of the Japan's Cultural Week, the Japanese-Peruvian Cultural Center hosted a jazz concert by "Ritsuco Endo with Funky Ritsuco's Version!" band (aka FRV), which is currently on a Latin American tour.

The band, whose tour is sponsored by the Japanese Foundation, presented a nice repertoire that included Endo's own compositions.

The concert also  included their rendition of popular songs such as McCartney's "The Long and Winding road" and the widely known Blanco/Manzo's "Moliendo Café."

The set list included some Japanese melodies arranged to a Latin rhythm, that were warmly received by the audience, who packed the Teatro Peruano Japonés for this special occasion.

The intermezzo was animated by a tender scene; a very young couple of Marinera dancers, actually the National Champions in their age category, who stole the whole audience's hearts, winning a loud, thunderous ovation.

The concert closed with a little celebration, since Mrs. Endo invited all the authorities and special guests who were attending the concert to join her on stage, for a general dance.

Even Japan's Ambassador to Peru, Shuichiro Megata, joined the dancing crowd, accompanied by his wife

FRV!'s varied musical repertoire ranges from jazz standards, to contemporary Latin numbers, to disco hits of the ‘70s, to Beatles’ music, to rock, to classical and Ritsuco Endo originals.

The 37th Japanese Cultural Week runs this year from November 1st until 20th, featuring conferences and lectures on the contributions made by Japanese people in Peru in areas like anthropology, gastronomy, literature, fine arts and history, as well as sports and martial arts events.

The Japanese-Peruvian citizens, also known in Peru as "nikkei," are currently celebrating the 110th anniversary of the first Japanese immigration to Peru.