Uzbek Culture Evening in Tokyo

July 21, 2011

On July 21, New Otani Hotel in Tokyo hosted Uzbek Culture Evening, which brought together over 250 Japanese government officials, public figures, parliament members, culture and art professionals, scientists and journalists. Organized by the Fund Forum with assistance from Ikuo Hirayama Silk Road Museum Foundation, the event focused on Uzbekistan`s cultural legacy, arts and tourism potential.

The Uzbek Culture Evening in Tokyo offered an exhibition of Uzbek traditional and modern applied art, a photo exhibition on Tashkent as well as a collection of pictures dedicated to ancient Uzbek cities and the Silk Road by the late Japanese artist Ikuo Hirayama.

Koichiro Genba, the National Strategy Minister of Japan:

“Uzbekistan and Japan have been in active and fruitful cooperation, which is aided by collaborative Uzbek-Japanese projects and particularly those overseen by the Fund Forum. This creates solid groundwork for mutual understanding and stronger friendship ties between our two nations.”

Tomoyuki Sakurai, Executive Director of the Japan Foundation:

“Uzbekistan is a leading country in Japan`s cultural diplomacy and a key country in Central Asia. The Japan Foundation is committed to successful cooperation with the Fund Forum. At this point we`re planning to organize the second Uzbek-Japanese International Symposium at Keio University and the Japan Institute of International Affairs in September this year.”

Noboru Noguchi, President of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan:

“The National Federation of UNESCO Associations supports Ikuo Hirayama Foundation`s links with public organizations and cultural foundations in Uzbekistan. Currently the Federation is looking into prospects of participation and assistance with the organization of an exhibition of Ikuo Hirayama in October 2012 in Tashkent, which would become the first-ever exhibition of the Japanese artist in Central Asia.”

Shinro Hayashi, editor of Mainichi Style Edition:

“The Fund Forum has projects that are famous all over the world, which is evidenced by the growing popularity of Style.Uz Art Week project among Japanese fashion designers, media people and textile industry. Mainichi Edition, which is Tokyo Fashion Week`s main media partner and whose representatives also attended Style.Uz Art Week in 2010, is interested in closer cooperation in fashion and design between Japan and Uzbekistan.”