Bandar Seri Begawan - The opening ceremony for the Japanese Language and Culture Week "Culture Fusion - Traditional and Modern" took place yesterday at the Chancellor Hall of UBD.

Officiating the event as the guest of honour was YAM Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Wadood Bolkiah bin YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Aziz. Also in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abdul Wahab and members of the diplomatic corps.

Jointly organised by UBD and the Embassy of Japan in Brunei, the annual Japanese Language and Culture Week, that runs until March 13, is being held for the fourth year.

The event began with a recital of the surah al-fatihah by. Dr Mohamed Mohiel-Din Ahmed followed by opening remarks from the Acting Director of the Language Centre, Dr Teo Siew Yean and welcoming address by the Japanese Ambassador, Noriki Hirose.

The Acting Director, in her speech, expressed belief that effective communication is more than just a matter of language proficiency. Apart from enhancing and enriching communicative aptitudes, cultural competence is of equal importance as it leads to greater understanding towards different cultures.

She further disclosed that the friendship and exchange ideas demonstrated by their Japanese language students to the Rakuno Gakuen exchange students last September, was a good paradigm as UBD students delivered an excellent speech after their presentation on Brunei.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador, in his welcoming remarks, also expressed appreciation to YAM Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Wadood who has shown a deep understanding and interest in the Japanese culture whilst contributing to the promotion of Japan-Brunei friendly relations throughout the years.

This year's event focusses on Japan's modern culture and its traditional aspects, which are displayed in 19 booths at the exhibition. The Japanese culture has evolved greatly throughout more than its 2,000 years of history and the Japanese modern culture is influenced by traditional customs, which in turn, also innovates under the influence of modern culture.

The ambassador further remarked that it is pivotal to enhance educational, cultural and academic exchanges between Japan and Brunei Darussalam. Last year, the Vice Chancellor Dr Zulkarnain, concluded two more Memorandum of Understandings to cooperate with Japanese universities during his visit to the country.

Following the launch by the guest of honour, the Wadaiko and Tatsumaki Dance performances were held as well as a showcase of cultural arts in clothing trends.

The guest of honour also toured exhibition booths displaying general information, Japan's history, language, studying in Japan and the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association (BJFA) UBD Chapter, among others.

Wadaiko originates from the Japanese Sole Rhythm and Music while the Tatsumaki dance is adapted from the Japanese traditional festive dance and the cultural arts in clothing trends showcases a reflection of Japanese social and cultural aspects. Members of the Japanese embassy also participated in showcasing traditional Japanese attire such as the Kimono.

Anime and Manga have also gained huge popularity worldwide. Japanese `Emakino', a horizontal illustrated narrative form created during the 11'h to 16th centuries combines both text and pictures using various methods, which are used for Manga and Anime today.

Launched in 2007, the Japanese Language and Culture Week aims to promote an appreciation of the Japanese language and culture amongst UBD students as it is one of the most popular foreign languages taken up as their breadth modules and are offered in LC from Elementary to Advanced levels.

Additionally, the language is also very popular amongst students who have enrolled for Continuing Education Public (CEP) course offered by the centre.

In fostering closer ties between Brunei and Japan in the fields of language, education and culture, LC will also promote the Japanese language and traditions through culture fusion activities such as Wadaiko, Tatsumaki dance, cultural arts in japanese clothing trends and Ikebana, to name a few.

Workshops, cultural performances and demonstrations of the above activities including origami and Japanese sushi making sessions will also be held.

The four-day event is also sponsored and supported by the Japanese Association of Brunei Darussalam, BJFA UBD Chapter, Misato Restaurant, Excapade Sushi Restaurant and V's Restaurant.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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