About UsOur Activities (March 2008) |
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29-30/03/08Irish JETs' Photography Exhibition "Medley of Japanese Memories"![]() ![]() A two-day exhibition entitled "Medley of Japanese Memories", hosted by the Embassy of Japan and the Irish JET Alumni Association, was held at the Filmbase Gallery in Dublin on 29 and 30 May. On display were photographs taken by Irish JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme participants who are currently in Japan or have returned to Ireland. The exhibition portrayed the JET Programme and Japan as viewed and experienced by Irish JETs, and consisted of various images such as scenes in Japanese schools and young people in "Harajuku" fashions. At the opening reception on 29 May, Ambassador Urabe expressed his hope for the further development of the JET Programme in Ireland, and the many guests, including ex-JETs, had the opportunity to discuss their memories of Japan. 18/03/08Ambassador Urabe Meets Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy Bourke![]() On March 18, Ambassador Urabe met the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Paddy Bourke at the Mansion House, and they discussed topics such as the Asian economy and strengthening the ties between Dublin and Japan. 11/03/08Ambassador Urabe's Visit to Kinsale![]() ![]() On March 11, Ambassador and Mrs Urabe travelled to Kinsale in Co.Cork. After paying several visits and meeting the Mayor of Kinsale, Mrs Mary Evans, and local residents, Ambassador Urabe headed off for visits to Japanese firms in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry 04, 06, 08/03/08Screenings of Japanese Animation FilmsThe Embassy of Japan held a series of screenings of Japanese animation films at St. Patrick's College on 4 March, Trinity College Dublin on 6 March, and the Chester Beatty Library on 8 March, and the audience of more than 120 people in total enjoyed watching masterpieces of Japanese Anime. Over the 3 days of this event, "the Castle of Cagliostro" and "Princess Mononoke" by Hayao Miyazaki, the master of Japanese animation, and "Voices of a Distant Star" and "The Place Promised in Our Early Days" by the up-and-coming digital animation creator, Makoto Shinkai, were screened together to introduce the history and depth of Japanese animation. 02/03/08The 2008 Irish Go Congress: Presentation of "Japanese Ambassador's Cup"The 2008 Irish Go Congress organised by the Irish Go Association was held from 29 February to 3 March in Dublin, and 57 participants from 11 countries played a series of exciting games over the three days. Ambassador Urabe was invited to the prize giving ceremony on the final day and presented "the Japanese Ambassador's Cup" to Mr. Cho, the Winner of this year's tournament. The number of Go players in Ireland has gradually increased in recent years and a series of Go events takes places in Dublin and Cork etc. on a regular basis. For further information, please contact: the Irish Go Association 1/03/08The 6th JLTI Japanese Language Speech Contest![]() ![]() Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced level Secondary School Category On March 1, the Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) held the 6th Japanese Speech Contest at the Clock Tower of the Department of Education and Science in Dublin (sponsored by the Japan Foundation, and supported by the Japanese Embassy, Japan Business Society, and the Department of Education and Science). This year, an extra category was added to the secondary school level, and a total of 29 participants gave speeches in Japanese. The judges selected the following participants as the winners in each category: Secondary School Transition Year/Leaving Cert. 1 - Aoife McCarthy, St. Angela’s College, Cork; Secondary School Leaving Cert. 2 - Gloria Soon, Maynooth Post Primary School, Kildare; Beginner/Intermediate Level - Ian Suttle, Dublin City University; Intermediate/Advanced Level - Edel Waters. At the closing ceremony, Ambassador Urabe gave his remarks and presented the prizes to the winners and the participants following the judges’ comments. According to the judges, there were more applicants than in previous years, especially in the secondary school categories, and the quality of their speeches is also improving from year to year which made it very difficult to select the winners and clearly shows the growth of Japanese language learning in Ireland |