The EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges in Spain started on January 12 with the sounds of tsugaru-syamisen performed by the Hiromitsu Agatsuma Band. With the cooperation of Casa Asia, an organization which promotes and carries out cultural exchanges between Spain and Asian countries, and the parties concerned from the Government of Spain, this day saw the Auditori de Barcelona that seat 2,000 people at capacity, and the rhythmical and powerful tsugaru-syamisen performance captivated the audience. In addition, a variety of rhythms and exquisite harmonies produced by syamisen, a traditional Japanese musical instrument, and western musical instruments, beautifully resonated inside the concert hall. It was a completely new type of acoustical sound produced by bringing together elements of eastern and western music, and the concert hall was filled with an air of excitement.

This year being the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Japan was named the guest country for "Asia Festival," an annual event hosted by the aforementioned Casa Asia. This Festival is held in both Madrid and Barcelona, and commensurate with Japan’s selection as the guest country, many Japan-related events were held. The Festival featured a wide variety of Japanese performing arts, ranging from classical performing arts in which there is also much local interest, namely, kabuki, kyogen and noh, to contemporary performing arts, including western dance and rock concerts, and they all received excellent reviews from the participants.

In addition, various other cultural events that introduced Japan were held in many cities, ranging from stage performances including bunraku, modern art exhibitions like "CHIKAKU: Time and Memory in Japan," ikebana demonstration by an Ikenobo headmaster, "The Beauty of URUSHI" exhibition, the Japan Culture Weeks held across the country, to community-based cultural activities.

These events contributed largely to promoting the exchanges between Japan and Spain. Taking advantage of the growing interest in Japan accumulated through the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges, the Embassy of Japan in Spain and the Consulate-General of Japan in Barcelona intend to continue to actively engage in PR cultural activities for the further development of the relations between both countries.