Remarks in November 2007


Mrs. Hind Shalan, President of Ikebana International Jordan Chapter, delivered a speech at the award presentation ceremony for Ikebana International Jordan Chapter on 8 November 2007

Ambassador Kato, Distinguished Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen

Ohayo gozaimasu.
It is with a deep feeling of honor and modesty that I accept today the Commendation of Minister Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on behalf of the Jordan Chapter of Ikebana International.

Indeed this tribute goes to all the wonderful and talented people who established the Jordan Chapter and all of those that worked hard to make it the success that it is today.

Since the establishment in the eighties of the Jordan Chapter of Ikebana International by Mrs. Hind Nasser and Mrs. Shizuyo Nakayama, wife of the then Ambassador of Japan, successive presidents, heads of schools and members have endeavored to keep Ikebana a pure art form, practiced with friendship and enthusiasm. This Commendation goes to you all. Our thanks also go to Mr. Susumu Yamashita, the Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, for his continuous support of our Chapter.

Distinguished guests,
In the turbulent times that we live in today it is vital that we all do our best to bring beauty and harmony to our lives and work to bridge cultures ad deepen friendships and understanding. Such as the friendship between Jordan and Japan and what better way to do that than by practicing the disciplined Japanese art of Ikebana; where the arrangement is a living thing bringing nature and humanity together.

Ladies & Gentlemen,
Thousands of years ago an ancient Chinese proverb said*”When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and lily with the other.”

Also, we have an old Arabic saying: “Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.”

I hope that the Jordan Chapter of Ikebana International will continue these great traditions and remain a bridge of understanding between the great people of Japan and those of Jordan.

Thank you and Domo arigato.

For further inquiries | Back to top