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(Arabic Press Release)

 

The Embassy of Japan in Jordan in cooperation with the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the University of Jordan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will organize the Third Japan Festival between 23 and 24 December 2008 at the University’s campus.

 

The two-day event, to be held under the Patronage of H.E. Professor Ahmad Majdoubeh, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, aims at introducing Jordanian students to the various aspects of authentic Japanese culture.

 

The first day will feature several Japanese animation classics which have become a symbol of Japanese popular culture. “The Grave of the Fireflies”, “The Place Promised to us Beyond the Clouds”, and “Five Centimeters per Second” are going to be shown at Al Kindi Auditorium in the Faculty of Arts and will be accompanied by An Arabic translation.

 

On the second day, a display of several interactive aspects of Japanese Culture will take place. Demonstrations of Martial Arts, Tea Ceremony, Japanese traditional clothing “Yukata”, Japanese traditional toys, paper craft “Origami”, and Japanese calligraphy “Shodo”, are expected to be held at the main activity hall of the Deanship of Student Affairs.

 

H.E.Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, praised this kind of an event by stressing, “The Japan Festival program will definitely further consolidate the friendly ties between Japan and Jordan as the two countries will, in 2009, mark the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations”.

 

The Embassy of Japan in Jordan has a long history of collaboration with the University of Jordan. Many cultural and artistic activities have been held at the University and a number of Japanese professors with various backgrounds gave lectures at the University under several intellectual dialogue programs. Also, the Japanese language education in Jordan started at the University of Jordan in 1993.

 

Moreover, under the Cultural Grant Program, the Embassy supplied the Language Centre at the university with the latest language laboratories for three times, to help students study the Japanese language in a more effective manner.

 

 

Opening speech by H.E.Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan,

on the occasion of the 3^rd Japan Festival
on Wednesday 24 December 2008

 

 

Professor Ahmed Majdoubeh, Dean of Faculty of Foreign Languages,

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to welcome you all here today at the 3^rd Japan Festival jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan and the University of Jordan. At the very outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to H.E. Professor Khalid Al-Karaki, President of the University of Jordan, for his support to the Japan Festival as well as to the education of Japanese language and culture.

 

I would also like to appreciate the devotion of professors, Japanese teachers, students, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers to realize this wonderful Japan Festival program which will definitely further consolidate the friendly ties between Japan and Jordan.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The year 2009 will mark the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jordan. Since 1954 the two countries have maintained friendly bilateral relations. In the cultural field, many cultural activities have been held over the past years to enable Jordanians to appreciate the richness of authentic Japanese culture and its diversity as well.
 

Japan and Jordan have worked together to evolve higher education at Jordanian universities. The Embassy of Japan in Jordan has a long history of collaboration with the University of Jordan. The Japanese language education in Jordan started at the University of Jordan in 1993. Since then the number of students has been increasing rapidly and the Japanese Speech Contest is now held annually.

 

Also, under the Cultural Grant Program, the Embassy supplied the Language Centre at the university with the latest language laboratories for three times, to help students study the Japanese language in a more effective manner.

 

In addition to the language, the two friendly countries have strengthened their partnership in the intellectual dialogue. Japanese professors with various backgrounds gave lectures at the University.

 

Last but not least, the embassy held many artistic events at the University of Jordan in the past years such as photo exhibitions, Film Week, musical concerts and martial arts demonstration.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my firm belief that these regular cultural activities will provide opportunities for deepening mutual understanding between our two peoples and bring our two peoples closer to each other. To all of you Japan fans, thank you for your genuine interest in Japanese culture and contribution to fostering stronger bilateral ties.

 

Particularly in this memorial year of the 55^th anniversary, let us work hard together to achieve more and maintain the friendly relationship between Japan and Jordan.

 

I wish the Japan Festival all success hoping it would be fruitful and enjoyable.

Thank you for your kind attention and I hope you will enjoy the Japanese culture.