Japan takes kites to Israel

Japanese kite master Miko Toki has been helping Israel celebrate 60 years as a Jewish state by hosting a kite festival in Israel.

The festival took place on a beach in Israel's northern city of Haifa. Children queued to get their hands on one of Toki's kites. Each one is handmade and takes between a day and a month to complete depending on the design.

The skies of Israel are the venue for a spot of Japanese kite flying.

And the children of Haifa can't wait to have a go.

Kite master Mikio Toki is hosting the festival and chose Israel to help celebrate a special anniversary.

SOUNDBITE: Japanese kite artist Mikio Toki saying (English):

"I brought 60 kites, flag kites, that is because between Japan and Israel it's a 60 years anniversary."

Kites are thought to have originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and then taken to Japan.

The Japanese believe the kite connects heaven and earth, they were even used as offerings to the gods.

Today traditions are still upheld.

Japan's Ambassador to Israel came along to offer his support.

SOUNDBITE: Japanese Ambassador to Israel Yoshinori Katori, saying (English):

"For Japan, we use kites especially at new year, it is one very important element to go closer to the heaven. And also it is for us to go back to the feeling of children, and also more to regain the childhood so to say. And this is the 60th anniversary of Israel, and we wanted to contribute in this way with some Japanese tradition."

In a region used to seeing its skies filled with gunfire today's festival leaves at least one positive message.

(Agencies)