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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (43rd issue / Feb 2, 2006)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh -
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[Table of Contents]
[1] Messages from Ambassador Horiguchi
"Nomination by UNESCO of BAUL music as a masterpiece of the Oral and
Intangible Heritage of Humanity"
[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Exhibition to report Bangladesh-Japan International Art Exchange
2005 (Jan 21-31, Tsukuba)
* Japan-UNICEF Joint Learning Mission (Feb 5-7, Bangladesh)
* Japan Festival (Feb 7-18, Dhaka)
- Japanese Contemporary Clay Work Exhibition
- Photo Exhibition on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
- Discover Japan Exhibition
- Japanese Film Festival
- Japanese Language Seminar
[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Seminar on Total Quality Management (Jan 27-28, Dhaka)
* Sustainable Arsenic Mitigation Opening Ceremony (Jan 26, Jessore)
* Japan Provides 20 Rainwater Reservoirs (Jan 24, Kalmakanda)
* Seminar on Disaster Management (Jan 21, Dhaka)
[4] Information
* Japanese Foreign Minister's Policy Speech (Jan 20, Tokyo)
* "Touch on JAPAN" broadcast schedule (Feb 6 to 10, 13 to 17,
Bangladesh)
* YOKOSO! JAPAN WEEKS 2006 (Jan 20-Feb 20, Japan)
[5] Editor's Note
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[1] Messages from Ambassador Horiguchi
"Nomination by UNESCO of BAUL music as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity"
I introduced "Lalon's crystal clear pathos" as one of the fascinations of Bangladesh in my previous message.
Lalon song is one of the Baul music genre which was nominated, along with Japanese Kabuki, as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heri tage of humanity by UNESCO at the end of last year. The Shilpakala Academy organized a concert commemorating this happy occasion on January 7, where nine groups of Baul musicians and singers from all over the country performed.
Baul musicians are sort of Bengali-style minstrels who travel from one village to another and harp on ordinary people's happiness, love, and a longing for the unity with a person's inner God, sometimes with
dancing. They do not follow a traditional lifestyle, convention, or any particular religion. I would say that Baul music is a mystical and spiritual pursuit for life and hope.
Lalon is one of the gurus of Baul musicians who lived between the 18th and the 19th centuries. He lived in Kustia and was getting on with Tagore. His poetry and melodies about love an divinity are outstanding
and have been transmitted orally through generations.
Ms. Farida Parveen is currently the top Lalon exponent and far ahead of other musicians that I have listened to so far. Her singing impresses listeners deeply even if one cannot understand its meaning.
I acquired a general idea of her songs' meanings thanks to an English supplement enclosed with her CD. The CD has her hit songs, such as "Nostalgia and desire for home lost long ago," "Patriotic feeling toward Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, and Surna rivers," "Yearning for a beautiful woman ho has gone to marry," "Appeal to God to take oneself to the other world," "Analogy between the mystic relationship of body and soul and a bird going in and out of a cage," "Sarcasm against the upper class of the Caste system," "Praise to God's creation of the universe," "Joy for life," and "A longing for a unity with God."
She attracted many Japanese at her performance in Japan several years ago. Also, her performance was very well received in Paris at the end of January this year.
I am very glad that Bangladesh's traditional music is becoming widely known to the world, thanks to the designation by UNESCO. I hope that more and more people of the world have a chance to enjoy Baul music, in particular, Ms. Parveen's rendition of Lalon songs, and improve their images toward Bangladesh.
(Past messages from Ambassador Horiguchi)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/index.html
(These messages were compiled in a single booklet.)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/pdf/makingabridge2.pdf
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[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Exhibition to report Bangladesh-Japan International Art Exchange 2005 (Jan 21-31, Tsukuba)
The Art Gallery Tsukuba is organizing an exhibition to show the achievements of "Bangladesh-Japan International Art Exchange 2005," which was held from 20 to 26 of October, 2005 in Dhaka. Admission is free and for more information, please contact the Art
Gallery Tsukuba:
Tel: 029-852-3250
http://kaiga.to/art/agtweb/agt_index.htm
* Japan-UNICEF Joint Learning Mission (Feb 5-7, Bangladesh)
A high level UNICEF-Japan Joint Learning Mission is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on a three day visit from February 5 to 7. The Mission's aim is to identify good practices involving Japan-UNICEF collaboration and then export those practices to other countries.
The team will comprise of Mr. Takashi Ashiki, Director Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Jun Kukita, Senior Programme Funding Officer, UNICEF Headquarters in NY, Yasuhi Katsuma, Programme Coordinator, UNICEF Tokyo.
The mission will go to Rangamati District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and observe activities under the "Integrated Community Development Project" in early childhood development, health and nutrition education, and water and sanitation activities in the UNICEF supported para centres.
They will have a briefing on "Primary Education Development Programme" and visit Gazipur to see "Intensive District Approach to Education for All" schools.
They will conclude their trip with a field consultation meeting, where new areas and methods of collaboration are expected to be agreed upon to strengthen the partnership between Japan and UNICEF in Bangladesh.
* Japan Festival (Feb 7-18, Dhaka)
The Embassy of Japan and the Bangladesh National Museum will organize the "Japan Festival", a composite cultural programme, from 7 to 18 of February at the Bangladesh National Museum premises.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on February 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium, Bangladesh National Museum. Honourable Minister for Information, H.E. Mr. M. Shamsul Islam, Ambassador
Horiguchi and other distinguished guests will be present.
Programs and schedules are as follows:
- Japanese Contemporary Clay Work Exhibition
February 7-18 except Thursdays
Saturday to Wednesday: 10:30-16:30
Friday: 15:30-19:30
Japanese ceramic art is popular and appreciated all over the world. This exhibition will focus on production of huge ceramic works and installations by introducing you 44 clay works by eminent artists from
the 1950s to the 1990s.
- Photo Exhibition on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
February 7-18 except Thursdays
Saturday to Wednesday: 10:30-16:30
Friday: 15:30-19:30
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on February 11, 1972, Japan has been enhancing the relationship with Bangladesh as one of the most pro-Japanese countries. This photo exhibition will look back over the history of Japan-Bangladesh relations and hope further enrichment of our relationship.
- Discover Japan Exhibition
February 13 & 14: 10:30-16:30 Co-organized by Dhaka Japanese Language Alumni Association (DAJLIAA), Bangladesh Japan Youth Friendship Association (BJYFA)
This exhibition is a blending of programmes, representing various aspects of Japanese culture. It will focus on traditional aspects of Japanese culture through replica, reproduction, books and publications. We will have a Japanese instrument and videos on Japanplayed. There will be also counselling on higher education in Japan, which has of late been a fond destination for higher study and research among an increasing number of Bangladesh youth.
- Japanese Film Festival
Schedule and venue are to be decided soon.
- Japanese Language Seminar
February 15: 10:30-16:30
Co-organized by Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka
Mr. Tatsuya Hiraga of MOSAI Japanese Language School in India gives a lecture on Japanese language education for both teachers and students. Morning sessions for teachers will be conducted in Japanese and afternoon sessions for students in English.
Morning Session for Teachers
10:30-11:30 Technique on Teaching of Primary Japanese Language
"Japanese Character, Vocabulary, Sentence Pattern"
11:30-11:50 Break
11:50-13:30 Explanation of Grammatical Items for Primary Level
"Intransitive, Transitive Verb, Causative-Passive, Honorific"
Afternoon Session for Students
14:30-16:30 Let's Learn Katakana
"Let's Learn Basis of Kanji"
"Let's Learn Verb Conjugation"
For more information, please contact the Cultural Division at the
Embassy of Japan.
Tel: 881-0087
Fax: 882-6737
e-mail: information@embjp.accesstel.net
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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Seminar on Total Quality Management (Jan 27-28, Dhaka)
Seminar on Total Quality Management (TQM) was organized by JBCCI at the auditorium of SEL Centre from January 27 to 28. Ambassador Horiguchi attended an inaugural ceremony and Around 40 people participated in the entire seminar. Collaborating organizations for this event were Bangladesh AOTS Alumni Society (BAAS) - a member of JBCCI and Bangladesh Society for Total Quality Management (BSTQM).
Ambassador Horiguchi made a following speech at the inaugural ceremony:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/sp_jbcci270106.html
(JBCCI Office)
Tel/Fax: 886-0105
E-mail: jbcci@citech-bd.com
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/jbcci/index.html
* LGD and JICA launch Arsenic Mitigation Project (Jan 26, Jessore)
The launching ceremony of the project for "Sustainable Arsenic Mitigation under Integrated Local Government System" was held on January 26 at Collectorate Conference Hall in Jessore. Secretary from Local Government Division (LGD), Mr. S. M. Jahrul Alam, Counselor from Embassy of Japan, Mr. Masahiko Kiya, and other distinguished guests attend the ceremony.
The project is being implemented in Sharsh Upazilla and Chowgacha Upazilla of Jessore district for a period of three years. LGD, Ministry of LGRD& Cooperatives will implement the project under the technical cooperation program of JICA. DPHE and DGHS will also collaborate as partner organizations.
(Asia Arsenic Network)
http://www.asia-arsenic.net/index-e.htm
http://aan-bangladesh.com/
* Japan Provides 20 Rainwater Reservoirs (Jan 24, Kalmakanda)
On January 24, a Japanese NGO, World Vision Japan, handed 20 Rainwater Reservoirs (RWRs) to the community people in Kalmakanda, Netrokona District under the Grant Aid US$78,191(approximately Tk 53 lac) from the Government of Japan. The RWRs will collect rainwater in the rain season, and cover 6-months need of arsenic-free, safe drinking water in dry season.
In addition to the construction of RWRs, World Vision Japan has been implementing training and awareness campaign for safe drinking water. It also has been active in education and health sectors in Kalmakanda
since 1994.
(Press release regarding the hand-over ceremony)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/pdf/pr_wvj250106.pdf
(World Vision Japan)
http://www.worldvision.or.jp/English/index.html
* Seminar on Disaster Management (Jan 21, Dhaka)
JICA Alumni Association Bangladesh organized a seminar on "Disaster Management in Bangladesh" at Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) on January 21.
Honorable Minister for Food and Disaster Management, H.E. Mr. Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf, noted Bangladesh $B!G (Bs efforts and successes in disaster management in terms of flood and cyclone but also stressed the need to do more. JICA Resident Representative, Mr. Akio Arai, introduced that the Japanese government constructed 81 cyclone shelters in Bangladesh and that JICA sent experts to the Bangladesh
Water Development Board to strengthen its disaster management capabilities.
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[4] Information
* Japanese Foreign Minister's Policy Speech (Jan 20, Tokyo)
On January 20, Japanese Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, delivered a policy speech at the beginning of the 164th session of the Diet. He articulated the current directions of Japanese diplomatic policy.
As guiding principles of Japan's diplomacy, Minister Aso emphasized respect for freedom and democracy, basic human rights and market economy. He also stated that "Japan will cooperate closely with neighboring countries and international organizations such as the United Nations, based on the Japan-United States alliance and international cooperation, seeking to realize peace and happiness in the world."
The Foreign Minister also noted that Japan will continue to place emphasis on the importance of ODA, using it to aid people suffering in poverty, promoting self-help efforts, and providing support to developing countries in their fight against terrorism and to utilize ODA to provide assistance in disaster relief and reconstruction. He also renewed the Japan $B!G (Bs pledge to increase its ODA volume by US$10 billion in aggregate over the course of five years.
Full transcript of his speech is available at:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/speech0601.html
(General Policy Speech by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the
164th Session of the Diet)
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2006/01/20speech_e.html
"Asian Strategy As I See It: Japan as the 'Thought Leader' of Asia" -
Speech by Minister Aso
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/speech0512.html
* "Touch on JAPAN" broadcast schedule (Feb 6 to 10, 13 to 17,
Bangladesh)
A TV program "Touch on JAPAN" will be broadcasted on STAR World at 18:56 every night from 6 to 10 and from 13 to 17 of February in Bangladesh. The program introduces you various aspects of Japan 's attractions. It consists of 5 sections as follows:
1. Cosmic Garden: Japanese landscape
2. Cool! But Passionate!: Japanese animation
3. Now and Zen: Japanese product design
4. Re-Mix: Japanese fashion
5. Re Generation: Japanese Kabuki
We welcome your comments on the program.
* YOKOSO! JAPAN WEEKS 2006 (Jan 20-Feb 20, Japan)
The Visit Japan Campaign Headquarters are organizing "YOKOSO! JAPAN WEEKS 2006" from January 20 to February 20 all over Japan in order to promote more tourists from overseas.
There are special events, discounts, and other services offered during the period. For more information, please visit the following websites:
(YOKOSO! JAPAN WEEKS 2006)
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
(Visit Japan Campaign)
http://www.vjc.jp/
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[5] Editor's Note
Embassy staff is in the final phase of the preparation for the Japan Festival which will be held from February 7 through 18 at the National Museum. I am personally very looking forward to showings of Japanese films. I hope you can make it to the film festival and am eager to hear your comments.
Saori Nagase, Editor
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