Ambassador’s diary – Thunder, Mighty Housewives and a Blank Daruma Eye
In between visits to disaster struck coastal regions of Miyagi Prefecture, Ambassador visited the Museum of Modern Art in Takasaki, for the opening of CULTEX, a unique Norwegian-Japanese cultural exhibition, where three pairs of Norwegian and Japanese artists collaborated. It was first held in Norway in 2009, and this year Japan’s turn to host. He also visited the Zen-Buddhist temple Shoorinzan Daruma-ji and requested the priest to perform “kaigen” on a traditional armless and legless doll. Takasaki is situated in Gunma prefecture which is known for its rich silk and textile traditions, as well as intriguingly so for its “Thunder and Mighty Housewives”.
Leif Ove Andsnes sends message to Japan
Leif Ove Andsnes will be visiting Japan for concerts with NHK Philharmonic Orchestra in September. Prior to the visit, Andsnes sends his message of condolences and sympathy to those affected by the great earthquake and tsunami in March.
PM Stoltenberg sends letter to PM Kan
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg sent a letter to Prime Minister Kan dated 24 June reiterating the condolences and offer to help that he earlier conveyed, when disaster struck Japan on 11 March. In the letter, he also informed the Japanese Prime Minister of the establishment of a coordinated “Team Norway” effort to assist Japanese recovery efforts in the fields of fisheries, seafood safety and coastal development as well as renewable energy and environmental technology.
Visit to Miyagi by Mr. Lund, Deputy Minister of Finance
On 15 July Norwegian Deputy Minister of Finance Kjetil Lund accompanied by the Ambassador visited Sendai, where he met Vice Governor Wako. Guided by Mayor Kisu of Miyagino city, Deputy Minister Lund also visited Arahama, Okada, and Gamo districts of Sendai city, one of the hardest hit areas by the tsunami on 11 March.
Elkem to donate solar cell system to Ishinomaki High School
Elkem is donating a solar cell system to power Ishinomaki Commercial High School in Tohoku.
The 14 million YEN project will benefit from close cooperation with the Japanese companies Kyocera Corporation, Silicon Plus Corporation and S-Power and The Norwegian Embassy and Innovation Norway in Tokyo.
Musicians in Oslo to support Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra
A group of musicians based in Oslo organized charity concerts to support Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra. The group is led by a Japanese violinist Yukiko Mikami, who is presently a member of Norwegian Opera Orchestra. The funds raised during the concerts were all donated to the orchestra for recovery assistance.
Statkraft and Nitto Denko/Hydranautics cooperate to make osmotic power reality
Statkraft and Nitto Denko/Hydranautics have entered into an agreement for the development and supply of membranes for osmotic power. The agreement will accelerate the development of the new renewable energy.
(21 June)
Sami singer Johan Sara to Hakodate, Hokkaido
Sami singer Johan Sara Junior participates in Hakodate International Folk Art Festival.
(8 August)
Grieg concert
Soprano singer Chiaki Doi gives all Grieg program concert in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
(24 July)
Lage Lund Trio Japan tour
Norwegian jazz guitar player Lage Lund will tour in Japan in September with his trio:
Shizuoka, Tokyo, Ibaraki.
(16-25 September)
Mari Boine to Hokkaido
Prominent Sami singer Mari Boine participates in Sapporo jazz festival in July.
(30 July)
Norwegian Movie Night
Screening of “Skykt! Lykkelig” (Happy happy) on July 27 at the Arctic Hall of the embassy.
(21 July)
Norwegian architecture today – reports from Oslo architecture triennale 2010
Taku Kitagawa, Japanese architect, participated in Oslo Architecture Triennale last fall. He makes reports from the trienniale and shares his views on Norwegian architecture trends in general.
Travel Seminar by Nettravel Service
Nettravel, a travel bureau specialized in Scandinavian countries as destination, organizes a series of travel seminars featuring Norway. The seminar provides prospective tourists to Norway with relevant information.
(24 August)
Seminar: Get to know Norway by traveling (in Norway)
Bimonthly seminar organized by a language teacher Junko Aoki, aiming to inform participants about the country on different themes. In its September session, the seminar focuses on traveling to Norway and meeting with local people.
(17 September)
Nordic countries to be featured on NHK
Starting from July 23 till 31, NHK BS1 broadcasts programs all featuring Nordic countries. Norway will be covered in a documentary program about Edvard Munch and his paintings, as well as in travel documentary program featuring boat trip along the coasts of Scandinavia.
(23-31 July)
Information to alert visitors traveling to Oslo this summer
Oslo Central Station will be closed for train service from 26 June to 8 August. Passengers are requested to consult information made available on Flytoget’s web-site in advance.