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As delicate cherry blossom petals drifted through the breeze, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden hosted their annual Sakura Matsuri Festival on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28. The festival is centered on the Japanese custom of hanami— celebrating and enjoying flowers, specifically cherry and plum blossoms. While admiring the blossoms, guests enjoyed Japanese art, games and live performances among rows of flowering trees. Performances went from 11.30 a.m. until 6 p.m. with martial arts, traditional taiko drumming and a rock band from Tokyo. Anime and manga—Japanese comics and illustrations were prominently featured during the festival. Fans met artists and could also take drawing lessons. Many fans came dressed as their favorite anime character. Months of bleak weather were seemingly wiped away in a weekend as sunshine filled the garden and illuminated the blossoms’ rich pink hue.