Culture & Education

Cultural events during 2011

4th Japan Cultural Week

28th February to 3 March 2011
Although downsized because of the cesurity concerns, the 4th Japan Cultura Week was held from February 28 to Macrh 3. Variety of cultural activities were demonstrated including Japanese films, Japanese toys, and Japanese Speech Contest.

Cultural events during 2009

3rd Japan Cultural Week

1st November to 8th November 2009

Embassy of Japan in Sana’a in cooperation with Ministry of Culture, Sana’a Secretariat, Japan Foundation and Yemen-Japan Friendship Association organized 3rd Japan Cultural Week from 1st to 7th August 2008. More than 3500 people enjoyed the 3rd Japan Cultural Week.

This year, Japan Foundation dispatched Mr. Masato Matsuura, a well-known Iai (Japanese traditional Martial Arts with Japanese swords) performer to demonstrate Iai performance. Also, Ms. Naoko Kikuchi, a famous Koto (Japanese traditional stringed musical instrument) player visited Yemen on the occasion of the 3rd Japan Cultural Week. On 3rd November, they performed Iai demonstration and Koto concert at the Sana’a Cultural Center, to introduce diversity and attractiveness of Japanese. More than 400 audiences were enchanted with their performance.

Also, the Martial Arts Demonstrations took place in Builquis Club. Demonstrations of Karate, Judo and Kendo was held and enjoyed by many audiece and students.

From 4 pm to 6 pm everyday, Yemeni people had the experience of Japanese culture, such as Japanese lesson, calligraphy, games, traditional cloths and origami. Yosakoi dance, Japanese songs and Kendo also were introduced.

We also presented masterpiece of Japanese movies every night from 6:30 pm. Line up of movies were 'Love and Honour', 'The Simanto River', 'Quill' and 'All about the House'.

Furthermore, the Japane Cultural Week extended to Aden for the first time this year in cooperation with Aden University. Variety of Cultural Activities were held including Kendo and Karate performance, Japanese toy show and films.

Cultural events during 2008

2nd Japan Cultural Week

3rd August to 8th August 2008

Embassy of Japan in Sana’a in cooperation with Ministry of Culture, Sana’a Secretariat, Japan Foundation and Yemen-Japan Friendship Association organized 2nd Japan Cultural Week from3rd to 7th August 2008. More than 2500 people enjoyed the 2nd Japan Cultural week.

This year, Japan Foundation dispatched Okinawa Music Group “Yui” -Vibes from Southern Islands. On 3rd August, the Group had a concert at Sana’a Cultural Center, to introduce Variety and attractiveness of Japanese culture through Yaeyama and Okinawa music with traditional dance. More than 400 audiences were enchanted with the concert.

In the Sana’a Cultural House, demonstrations related to Japan took place everyday from 10:00 am to 11:30. Demonstrations were: Judo and Karate on 4th August, Youth Ship Program on 5th, and Japanese Culture and Education on 6th respectively. On 7th August, Japanese Speech Contest was held. It was seen that how much the Yemeni student improved their Japanese speech.

From 4 pm to 6 pm everyday, Yemeni people had the experience of Japanese culture, such as Japanese lesson, calligraphy, games, traditional cloths and origami. Yosakoi dance, Japanese songs and Kendo also were introduced.

In Sana’a Cultural House, a Japanese print art, called “Ukiyoe” was exhibited. Hiroshige Utagawa is one of the greatest artists in Edo Period. People saw prints of Japanese landscape dated back to more than 200 years ago.

We also presented masterpiece of Japanese movies every night from 6:30 pm. Line up of movies were as follows: on 4th “Nabi’s Love”, on 5th “Adrenaline Drive”, on 6th “Universal Law” and on 7th“Abduction”

EVENTS

Japanese National Football Team came to Yemen

Japanese national football team came to Yemen and had a match for qualifying for Asia Football Championship Final in 2007. Japanese team had a match with Yemeni national team on 5th September 2006 in Sana’a. After World Cup Final in Germany, Japanese team had changed many players and came to Saudi Arabia and Yemen for the qualifying matches.

Japanese team lost a match versus Saudi team in Jeddah. The match with Yemeni team was vital for qualifying of the Asia Football Championship Final in 2007. There were some difficult condition such as fatigue of tour, different pitch condition and high altitude (2200m) in Sana’a. However Japanese team defeated Yemeni team in additional time goal. Final score was Japan 1, Yemen 0.