Bamberg to Host Expert Lecture on Ainu Culture and Heritage
Bamberg is set to host an expert lecture on the Ainu culture, a unique blend of Ainu and Japanese influences, on Tuesday, 7 October 2025. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature speakers including Dr. Ulrike Ilg, who will provide updates on the provenance research project of Ainu objects in the Bamberg collection. The lecture will be followed by a reception.
The Ainu are an indigenous people from Japan, whose culture has been gradually annexed by the Japanese since the 17th century. Many Ainu artifacts, including those brought to Bamberg by Joseph Schedel over a hundred years ago, are now housed in European museums. A provenance research project on these objects, funded by the German Center for Cultural Property Losses, was started in spring 2025. This project is important for the Ainu descendants, who are eager to understand the origins and history of their cultural heritage.
The lecture, to be held in the Rococo Hall of the Old Town Hall, will be attended by a delegation from the National Ainu Museum in Hokkaido, who will visit Bamberg in October 2025. The speakers include Takeshi Yabunaka, Tsuzumi Miyaji, Dr. Hans-Dieter Ölschleger, and Arne Schönfeld, each bringing their unique perspective to the discussion.
The expert lecture and reception in Bamberg aim to shed light on the Ainu culture and its history. The event is open to all, providing an opportunity for the public to learn about this unique cultural heritage. Following the lecture, a reception will be held, offering a chance for attendees to engage with the speakers and learn more about the Ainu people and their culture.
