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| Newsletter
No.99 |
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August 2007
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ESUJ 10th Anniversary Year: Autumn Line Up!
October 2007 marks the beginning of ESUJ's 10th year since its founding in October 1998. This year's ESUJ University Debate Competition in English will be the 10th Anniversary Memorial Competition. The International Council Meeting of ESU's from around the world will take place in Japan at the same time, with various ESU representatives coming to Japan for the event. There will also be a special symposium open to the public chaired by ESUJ's Vice Chairman Yasushi Akashi. Please check the notices for details and support the events enthusiastically.
Sept. 7 (Fri.) 19:00-20:30, Japan National Press Club: Lecture by Mr. Dominic Ziegler, Bureau Chief of The Economist Magazine: The Present State of China
Oct. 2 (Tues.) Parliamentary Debate Seminar in Kyushu
Oct. 3 (Wed.) Parliamentary Debate Seminar in Kansai
Oct. 7 (Sun.) and Oct. 8 (Mon. holiday) University Debate Competition in English, 10th Anniversary Memorial Competition
Oct. 8 (Mon. holiday) ESU International Council Meeting Welcome Reception (follows the tournament)
Oct. 10 (Thurs) 14:00-16:30. Keio Plaza Hotel: ESUJ 10th Anniversary of Founding Special Public Symposium: English Education in Non-English Speaking Countries
English Club
English Club on July 17 featured Sachiko Tsuchiya, Curator and Owner of Gallery Art Miya, speaking on the topic of the "New York Art Scene―On the Cutting Edge."
Contemporary Asian Art is all the rage in New York at the moment. Tsuchiya-san participated in the showplace of Asian art, the Asian Art Fair, for the first time this year, promoting Japanese contemporary artworks. Expressing a sensibility which fuses Japanese manga and America's Mickey Mouse, Japanese Artist Takashi Murakami is presently the hottest artist in New York. His artworks have become big business. In the West, art is eagerly sought by investors, who can reap huge rewards if they choose the works of artists that will be prized in the future.
Japanese manga are very popular. Tsuchiya-san pointed out that their roots extend as far back as the 12th century Choju Giga (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals). At this year's fair, she also reconnected with her old school friends from when she was a little girl in New York in the 1950's. Including her own personal history in a visual presentation, Ms Tsuchiya gave a lively impression of her experience of New York.
Next Month's English Club; September 18 (Tues.) 18:30-20:30 Japan National Press Club.
Our speaker will be Dr. Pham Quang Minh, speaking on the topic of “Vietnam's renovated foreign policy”.
15th Luncheon: Hungarian Ambassador to Japan
A Takuwakai Luncheon, which is held for ESUJ Supporting Members mainly, was held on July 5 (Thursday) at the Ark Hills Club. The speaker was H.E. Mr. Gyula Dabronaki, the Hungarian Ambassador. With a master's degree in Japanese diplomatic policy, Ambassador Dabronaki's career has been almost entirely involved with Japan as he has had three tours of duty here. Speaking fluent Japanese, he even inserted Japanese puns into his talk, while speaking of Hungary's history and relations with Japan.
Racially, Hungary's population is almost entirely Magyars, who came from east of the Urals, probably the area around Lake Baikal. It is even possible that there is a link between the ancestors of the Japanese and Hungarians. Until about a hundred years ago there were Hungarians with Mongolian spots. Although they are Asians, they were not wiped out by the Europeans because they quickly converted to Christianity, it is thought. Conquered by the Mongols, and the Turks, they subsequently became part of the Habsburg Empire, then submitted to the Germans, and eventually became part of the Soviet Union. When the socialist system collapsed, they opened their borders although knowing the danger, allowing 80,000 East Germans to slip in. With their difficult history of much bloodshed, the Hungarians are keenly aware of the importance of freedom.
Along with this historical outline, Ambassador Dabronaki described the close relationship between Hungary and Japan. Diplomatic relations were entered into as early as 1869, with a friendship society centered on Saga's Nabeshima clan being established. Hungarians feel very friendly toward the Japanese, having much in common as a people. Each year around 160,000 Japanese visit Hungary, and repeat visits are increasing. Hungary's charms are too numerous to count: (1) hospitality (2) culture―Hungarian music is especially appreciated by the Japanese. (3) cuisine―Hungarian food may not be for those who want to lose weight, but the rich, paprika-flavored meat dishes are enjoyed by Japanese. Hungarian wine is also delicious. (4) porcelain such as Herend is renowned. The influence of Arita ware is evident. (5) numerous hot springs. Hungarian embroidery is also famous, especially the designs on women's clothing, which indicate their places of origin. Around 1200 Japanese are long-term residents and there are presently 106 Japanese firms operating there, more than half of which are manufacturers, the largest being Suzuki Motors, which began early, producing 30,000 cars, and has now produced 300,000 cars.
Ambassador Dabronaki's talk gradually gathered pace and he ended up speaking for longer than planned, for a very enjoyable get-together.
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For
further informaiton contact!
E-MAIL:esuj@esuj.gr.jp
Fujikage-Building
9th Floor, Motoakasaka 1-1-5
MInato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051
TEL: 03-3423-0970 FAX: 03-3423-0971
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