ON THE WAY OF FURTHER CONSOLIDATION OF COOPERATION IN THE SPHERE OF CULTURE

As previously reported, the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - Akie Abe arrived to our country on August 3.

On August 4, Akie Abe accompanied by the wife of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov Tatyana Karimova visited Uzbekistan Museum of Applied Arts.

Uzbek and Japanese peoples have much in common. Such qualities as national pride, hard work, loyalty, goodness are equally inherent to them. These aspects are an important factor in consolidation of friendship and cooperation between two countries.

Uzbek-Japanese relations have been developing in the spirit of the Joint Statement on Friendship, Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Joint Declaration on deepening and expanding strategic partnership. Official visit of the Head of our state Islam Karimov to Japan in February 2011, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Uzbekistan in October 2015 raised the relations between our countries to a new level.

Uzbekistan and Japan along with other sectors are consistently expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Under the "Official Development Assistance" Program and through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) the sides carry out a number of projects in the socio-economic and cultural spheres. The Days of Culture and Cinema of Uzbekistan are organized in Japan. Creative leaders of the Land of the Rising Sun are actively involved in international forums ongoing in our country, in particular, the international music festival "Sharq taronalari". In 2015 the group "Shamisen" from Japan won the first place in the festival "Sharq taronalari".

Opening of the monument to the great Uzbek poet and thinker Alisher Navoi in Tokyo in 2004 was a vivid manifestation of great respect of the Japanese people for people of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek literature and art. Japanese scientists say that the works of Alisher Navoi still play a special role in the education of youth in the spirit of creation, peace and friendship with other nations.

Japanese scientist and artist Ikuo Hirayama has dedicated his life to the study of ancient history and traditions of the Great Silk Road. The artist, who came several times to our country, in his paintings portrayed the unique monuments of our ancient cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, our abundant markets, comfortable towns and villages, the images of our hardworking countrymen. In Tashkent, in memory of the scientist and the artist at the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan opened the International Caravanserai of Culture of Ikuo Hirayama.

Professor Kyudzo Kato from Japan together with our scientists conducted a series of archaeological research dedicated to study of the Great Silk Road, the ancient state of Bactria, translated into Japanese works of Mirzo Ulugbek, Babur and our other great scientists and thinkers. According to the Resolution of the President Islam Karimov Kyudzo Kato was awarded the highest award of our country - the Order "Dustlik".

Uzbekistan-Japan Center is making a worthy contribution to professional development of staff, the friendship society "Uzbekistan - Japan" and "Japan - Uzbekistan" - in the noble work on consolidation relations between our peoples. There is a growing interest in the study of Japanese language, culture and art in Uzbekistan, while Uzbek language, history and culture of our people is of particular interest to Japan. Since 2015, ​​Japanese language is taught as the first foreign language at the Uzbek State University of World Languages.

Japanese garden, which was opened in Tashkent in 2001, has embodied the national values ​​and culture of the Japanese people, has become a favorite place for residents and guests of our capital.

Akie Abe’s visit to our country has become a logical continuation of official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This visit plays an important role in further advancement of cultural ties between our countries.

The Museum of Applied Arts contains more than 7000 exhibits, telling about the rich culture and history of our people.

Akie Abe has acquainted with national costumes and musical instruments, embroidery patterns, gold, jewelry, coinage and pottery, as well as embroidery process, carpet weaving and engraving on metal. National classical music was performed.

Samples of national handicraft and folk art left a great impression on the guest. Akie Abe commended carried out in our country under the leadership of President Islam Karimov’s work on the study of history, the revival of national values, education of youth on the basis of historical memory and national pride. She noted that the products of national crafts of Uzbekistan are distinguished by beauty and elegance.

Akie Abe visited the burial place of the Japanese internees and laid a wreath at the monument in memory of their compatriots. She expressed gratitude to the President of our country for the improvement of the place, the perpetuation of the memory of their compatriots.

In the afternoon, Tatyana Karimova and Akie Abe visited the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre named after Alisher Navoi.

In the construction of the theater and Japanese internees during the Second World War in Uzbekistan. Recently, the building was renovated and equipped with modern technical facilities.

While in our country, documents about the development of relations in various fields were signed by the official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in October 2015, including in the sphere of culture. Accordingly, at the present time in our country, touring the Japanese creative team "Drum Tao".

Tatyana Karimova and Akie Abe, attended a concert of the creative team.

Created in 1993, the creative team of "Drum Tao" widely promoting the ancient Japanese culture. Statements of this team, combining music, dance and martial arts tradition, produced a great impression on the audience. The team toured in more than twenty countries around the world. Earlier this year, Japanese artists performed in 38 cities in North America.

Akie Abe stressed that Japan’s cooperation with Uzbekistan along with other spheres consistently develops and in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan made an unforgettable impression on the visitor with its grandeur and beauty. Concert of Japanese artists would be a worthy contribution to the further strengthening of friendly ties between our peoples.

Such numbers of the concert program as "Female ninjas", "Melody fantasy", "Thousand Cherry trees", "Autumn Moon", "Phoenix", "blue sky", were warmly welcomed by the audience.

Thus, visit of the wife of the Prime Minister of Japan Akie Abe to our country was ended.

In Tashkent International Airport, wife of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tatyana Karimova has seen off Akie Abe.

UzA