Cultural Exchanges between Japan and Sri Lanka in 2018
Co-ordinated by R.S. Wilfred Cooray
There is a variety of events implemented by the Embassy throughout the year, some of the highlights of our cultural programs are as follows.
“Awa- Odori” Dance Performance (January)
As a part of the program “Departure to the future of Sri Lanka and Japan” to celebrate the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence, the Embassy of Japan and the Honga n j i Foundation of Japan presented “Awa-Odori” dance performance.
This event, which was held at BMICH, fascinated the audience of more than 400 people with the traditional Japanese culture, including displays of local products of Tokushima prefecture such as Awa- washi Hand- made paper, Indigo- dyed products, finegrained Japanese cane-sugar.
Awa- Odori is one of the most popular and well- known festival dances in Japan, which is a unique form that originated from Tokushima Prefecture.
Japanese Architectural Exhibition “Struggling Cities: from Japanese Urban Projects in the 1960’s” (January)
Japanese Archi t e c t u r a l Exhibition “Struggling Cities: from Japanese Urban Projects in the 1960’s”, co- organized by the Embassy of Japan and the University of Moratuwa with the sponsorship of Japan Foundation, was held at the University of Moratuwa.
This travelling exhibition, showcased experimental ideas and proposals by Japanese architects that emerged and flourished in Japan in the 1960s. The exhibition displayed how the designs attempted to address the concerns of various countries facing overpopulation issues. It also featured works by renowned architects with their distinctive urban plan designs in addressing the above issue.
Japan granted an Audio- Visual Studio to the Department of Mass Media, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo (January)
The Government of Japan granted a total sum of Rs. 12 million under its Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project for upgrading audio- visual equipment at the Department of Mass Media, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
As time shifts from analog media to digital media, the Government of Japan’s grant consists of equipment for the next phase of digital hi vision age. It is expected that this project would contribute to capacity building in the field of next generation media training and also to placing the Sri Palee campus as the focal point of media experts’ education.
Japanese Fair 2018 (February)
The annual Japanese Fair was presented by the Water’s Edge in partnership with the Embassy of Japan for the 3rd time at the ‘Waters Edge’ in Battaramulla.
Japanese culture loving groups performed their Aikido ( modern Japanese martial art), Kyudo (traditional Japanese archery), Sumo and Japanese Cos- Play. A Japanese traditional “Taiko” drum troupe was invited to Sri Lanka by the Embassy of Japan to perform at the Japanese Fair. In addition, The Japanese National Tourism Organization ( JNTO) participated at the event to conduct travel promotion with some entertainment.
Japanese TV programs in Tamil language started on Reconciliation Channel (February)
The Government of Japan had granted 449 TV programs, worth of 52.6 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs.73.6 million), to Sri L a n k a Ru p av a h i n i Corporation in order to enhance awareness of Japanese culture, value and lifestyle among Sri Lankan viewers nation- wide. Some of these Japanese TV programs, which are dubbed into Tamil commenced telecasting in February, on the Reconciliation Channel ( Nethra TV), which was inaugurated on the same day. These documentaries from Japan include present Japanese industry, technology, economy, nature, science and environment while there were several educational programs for children. In this connection, the Government of Japan also granted Rs. 42.7 million to cover part of the cost for dubbing Japanese programs into Sinhalese and Tamil, producing of trailers and crawlers as well as allocating airtime for these programs.
Japan Expo (April)
Japan Expo, which is a comprehensive festival to showcase a variety of Japanese cultures, products and technology was held in April at BMICH exhibition and convention center for the second time in Sri Lanka.
“Best Friends in love” started telecasted on Derana TV (June)
A Famous Japanese Tele drama “Best Friends in Love”, provided by the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka under the special courtesy of the Japan Foundation, started to telecast on Derana TV. The program series was aired with Sinhalese subtitles for the viewers’ convenience.
Japanese Film Festival 2018 (July)
The Japanese Film Festival was held for the fourth consecutive year in 2018, at the National Film Corporation Auditorium. The festival was co- organized by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, in collaboration with the National Youth Services Council, the National Film Corporation and the Ship for World Youth Alumni Association, while Independent Television Network supported as the electronic media partner.
Japanese Cultural Exhibition– 2018 (September)
Japanese Cultural Exhibition was held at Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management. The Exhibition was organized by the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Japanese Language Teachers’ Association of Sri Lanka. It featured exquisite Ikebana floral arrangements, creative Bonsai plants, and numerous forms of Origami along with many other Japanese cultural items. All these items and demonstrations were done by local Japanese culture lovers, except the Tea ceremony, which was conducted by a Japanese Tea master invited from Japan.
Ms. Kaneko’s Concert with Traditional Japanese Musical Instrument (September)
Traditional Japanese musical instruments Koto and Shamisen player and also a Jazz singer and a songwriter, Ms. Sumie Kaneko visited Colombo. She is a master in the traditional repertoire of these ancient Japanese instruments, who conducted a musical concert in collaboration with two Sri Lankan musicians from the University of Visual and Performing Arts, during her stay in Sri Lanka.
The event was organized by the Embassy of Japan with the support from the Sri Palee Campus and was held at the auditorium of the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo.
The concert attracted the audience of hundreds, who enjoyed the melody of traditional Japanese musical instruments.
Baseball Coaching Camp by the Women’s Baseball Federation of Japan (December)
The Women’ s Baseball Federation of Japan conducted 5 days Baseball Coaching Camp in Sri Lanka in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Amateur Baseball / Softball Federation.
They came to Sri Lanka under the program called “Sport for Tomorrow”, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to bring the joy of sports directly to ten million people in over one hundred countries by the time the Olympic torch reaches Tokyo in 2020 and to spread the value of sport for the future generation.
The Women’ s Baseball Federation of Japan had two main objectives of visiting Sri Lanka, namely, 1) to spread the joy and excitement of baseball to those women and girls who are not famil- iar with baseball and 2) to share the skills and techniques to those already active female players to improve their performance.