Hear the resonant tolls of a sacred Japanese temple bell ring out for the first time at the U.S. National Arboretum. The bell, cast in 1789 and a gift from the National Bell Festival, will be dedicated and installed in a new structure in the central courtyard of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. The event will feature a traditional Zen Buddhist blessing and a ceremonial ringing of the bell. All are invited to participate in the ringing!

Schedule of Events
1:30 Short remarks by Paul Ashe, Director of the National Bell Festival, and Richard Olsen, Director of the U.S. National Arboretum
1:35 Blessings by Zen priests
1:45 Ringing begins

The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public, but please consider registering in advance so we will know to expect you! Visit the National Bell Festival’s website for more information about the Festival and the 225-year-old bell that will soon grace the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s courtyard.

Please note that the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum will be open from 1–4 p.m. on New Year’s Day.