Japanese Taiko drummers heralded the launch of the new Brighton Festival programme today.

Many of the events for the month-long festival in May have a Japanese flavour as it forms part of Japan 2001, a national celebration of all things Japanese.

Guests at this morning's launch party were treated to a Japanese style breakfast at Moshi Moshi sushi restaurant in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, which is the official festival eaterie.

Yoshio Shimazaki and Shingo Karube, graduates of the Gyosei International College of Taiko drumming, performed in traditional costume outside on the largest Hira Daiko drum in Europe.

Nick Dodds, the new chief executive of Brighton Festival, said: "The Brighton Festival and Japan 2001 have worked together to bring some of Japan's leading theatre companies, dance companies and musicians to Brighton.

"During the festival these companies will premiere their work before touring the UK as part of the Japanese festival."

This year's programme features 800 performances, 35 premieres, nine festival commissions and a wealth of outdoor activities.

It includes dance from America, Holland and Japan, theatre from Russia and New Zealand and contemporary musicians including Courtney Pine, the Joe Lovano Quartet and Susana Baca.

The classical programme features Prom favourites Felicity Lott and Ann Murray, American soprano Barbara Bonney and Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires and Glyndebourne will play host to the Alban Berg Quartet.

The literary festival is packed with top-name authors ranging from international novelist Carlos Fuentes and Pulitzer prize winner Annie Proulx to contemporary urban author Irvine Welsh and comedian Nigel Planer.

There is also a cutting edge film programme which includes pop videos, computer game graphics and adverts.