Nobel Peace Prize for 2011
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 is to be divided equally between Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman.
The Nobel Peace Prize is on 10 December at award ceremony at city hall in Oslo.
Exhibition “Posters for Japan” to open in Tokyo
“Posters for Japan” is a successful charity exhibition opened in Oslo earlier in May organized by a group of Norwegian and Japanese designers “Støttegruppe for Nordøst-Japan”. The fund raised by selling posters was donated to victims of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan on March 11.
The exhibition travels to Tokyo later this month, and the posters will be exhibited at 3331 Arts Chiyoda. (28-31 October)
Norwegian pop group Casiokids to participate Hokuo Music Night 2011
At Hokuo Music Night 2011, electric pop musicians from the Nordic countries will be showcased.
From Norway, popular group Casiokids will participate. Casiokids will also tours outside Tokyo, to Osaka and Nagoya. (10-13 October)
Haaval Gimse (Piano) concerts in Japan
Norwegian pianist Håvard Gimse will be performing with Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo and Niigata. Program consists of Holst, E. Grieg, and J. Sibelius.
(3, 6 November)
Paal Nilsen Love
Paal Nilssen-Love (drums) will tour in Japan, with Peter Brötzmann (saxophones) and his group.
(13-16, 18 November)
Picidae
Norwegian pop duo Picidae returns with a tour in Japan, in Nagano and Tokyo.
(22, 23 October)
Talk event - Andsnes x Saeki
On the occasion of Leiv Ove Andsnes’s visit to Japan for his concerts, he participated in a talk event together with Japanese writer Kazumi Saeki organized by the embassy. They shared and exchanged views on what art can do in a traumatic situation after crisis, referring to March 11 and July 22. After the talk event, Andsnes played musical pieces by Chopin and Brahms.
Exhibition: Domestic bliss
Exhibition with a theme Memento Mori, by installation artist Solveig Sumire Sandvik and video artist Paul Johannessen opened in Tokyo from October 15 till October 27.
Kobe Biennale
A group of 5 Norwegian artists, (Kjersti G. Andvig, Are Blytt, Ane Graff, Kim Hiorthøy, and Magnus Vatvedt) are participating in Kobe Biennale which opens between September 25 - October 16. Their works are being presented at a venue named VOID 289. (16-25 September)
Tor Gundarsen
Norwegian flower artist Tor Gundarsen will visit Kyoto and decorate venue for a concert by a Japanese musician. He will also demonstrate flower arrangement in front of audience in presence. (25 October)
Screening of Fridtjof Nansen’s film “Bare et liv” at UNHCR Refugee Film Festival
The Embassy screened the documentary film “Bare et liv” on the life of Dr. Fridtjov Nansen as Norway’s contribution to the 6th UNHCR International Refugee Film Festival in Tokyo. Ambassador Walther introduced the achievements of Norway’s Polar hero, scientist, diplomat, internationalist, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the League of Nations first High Commissioner of Refugees. This Embassy collaboration with UNHCR on the 150th anniversary of Nansen’s birth also commemorated the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the 1951 Convention relating to Refugees. (6 October)
Signing of MoU extending Research Cooperation between NTNU and AIST (National Institute for Industrial Science and Technology)
At a ceremony in the Embassy Professor Torbjørn Digernes, Rector of NTNU and Dr. Nomakuchi, President of AIST signed an MoU on extending the research cooperation between the two institutions. For decades, NTNU and AIST have been collaborating in such area as Matererials /nano technology and renewable energy, where joint research projects have been developed. The two institutions originally made a formal agreement in September 2006.
40 years of capelin exports from Norway to Japan – visit by Jørn Krog, Secretary General of the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs
On the occasion of commemorating 40 year’s anniversary of exports of Norwegian capelin to Japan, NSEC organized Pelagic Trade Seminar and seafood reception at the Embassy for Japanese media and importers, where Secretary General Jørn Krog delivered a keynote speech. During his visit to Japan, Mr. Krog traveled to Sendai and Ishinomaki city, where he made a courtesy call on the mayor and met with fishermen from the local fisheries cooperatives.
Oslo Fashion Week
Journalist for Senken newspaper, industrial paper specialized in textiles and fashion, makes reports from his visit to Oslo fashion week in August this summer.
Concerts: The Core featuring Jonas Kullhammar
Norwegian jazz group The Core tours in Japan with saxophone player Jonas Kullhammar in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The concerts have been postponed from this spring due to the earthquake and tsunami. (19-22 October)
Gender Equality seminar in Saitama
Mariko Mitsui, researcher on gender equality issues, will deliver a lecture and introduces work life balance situation in Norway. (29 October)
Charity events : “Nordic Style”
Kyushu University of technology organizes a series of lectures and exhibition featuring Nordic designs and landscape. In parallel, Japanese importers of design and furniture products will showcase products which they import from Nordic countries. (12-26 October)
Dobutsu concert
Norwegian singer Ingvild Storhaug (Mezzosoprano) and Maiko Endo (Cembalo) will have a concert in Miyagi prefecture. (16 October)
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble on NHK-FM radio
One of Norway’s leading Jazz pianists Tord Gustavsen with his group participated in Tokyo Jazz in September this year. Their live performances and interview, which was recorded during their stay in Tokyo, will be on air on NHK-FM Radio on 16 October. (Replay on 21 October)
>>Norway in Japan Newsletter, October 2011 (JPN)