Japan kids celebrate Kuwait national days
TOKYO, Feb 27, (KUNA): Despite being thousands of miles away from Kuwait, little Japanese children enjoyed a festival to celebrate Kuwait’s National Days, which was prepared by a cheerful Kuwaiti family living in Tokyo. The event at Sesame International Preschool, hosted by Abdullah Al-Zaidan and his wife Shaima’a, included a presentation for the children introducing them to Kuwait’s location, Kuwaiti traditional clothes, language, flag colors and Kuwait towers, and how and why Kuwaitis celebrate National day.
The children were also overjoyed at gifts and souvenirs from Kuwait, such as hats, flags and sunglasses, and trying Kuwaiti dresses. “My wife was more than happy in preparing cakes and desserts, and introducing to the kids and teachers traditional home-made Kuwaiti meals, which included Majboos dajaj (rice with chicken ), Imrabyan (rice with shrimp) and Balalyt (sweet noodle with eggs),” said Abdullah, who has been here for study since 2007 with his family.
All the children showed tremendous curiosity about Kuwait’s culture and the celebration of National Day, chanting, “I enjoyed this very much,” “I want to visit Kuwait !” Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after the “mini-festival,” Takuji Fujii, an owner of the preschool, where the Kuwaiti couple’s two sons are attending, stressed that the event let the children respect a different culture. “Things today are going to be a great experience for future,” Fujii said. “We are honored to be able to join the celebration of Kuwait’s National Day and I want to say thank you very much to Mr and Mrs AI-Zaidan for giving a great opportunity,” he added. Every item presented at the event was shipped from Kuwait with the help of the couple’s families, who have been always supporting them during their long stay in Japan. “Preparation was difficult but my loving wife is always determined when it comes to making our children and other people happy,” said Abdullah. “Since our sons — Abdulrahman and Salim — are the only Kuwaitis at this school, we want to introduce to them and other kids how we celebrate our National Day back home,” said Abdullah. “Also, being away from our family and friends in Kuwait make us appreciate more all the support that our country is giving us, no matter where we are.” Their 6-year-old son Abdulrahman also took pride in the celebration, which the Al-Zaidans hosted for second year in a row. “I am very happy, because it is “Kuwait’s birthday” and I have fun with my friends on this day giving gifts to them and my teachers,” said Abdulrahman.
School Administrator Kazuko Fujii also attached a high value to the event, as “all the children and teachers were soaked in Kuwait traditional celebration with homey environment, including decoration, gift, food, drink and sweets.” “We have had really great time. I am sure that everyone who joined today will keep precious memory for their entire life,” she said.
As the only and probably the first Kuwaiti student at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Abdullah has continued higher education since 2008 starting with a master’s program on Japanese government scholarship, while undergoing his PhD. course through September this year. He has worked at the Living Resources Department of the Environmental Public Authority (EPA) since 2002 as a laboratory researcher, involving in various projects both local and international including Japan.