Days of Japan in Bijeljina, 20-22 February 2015

 

JICA Alumni BiH organized „Days of Japan in Bijeljina“, an event dedicated to culture of Japan. Name itself says that this is not just one, but four events scheduled in 3 days, from 20th to 22nd February 2015.
First day was consisted of two workshops at primary school „Sveti Sava“. First workshop was for pupils of 3rd grade, where origami master Ms. Stoja Gavranović delivered theoretical and practical aspect of origami, showing three different types of origami figures to pupils. Thirty pupils were included in this workshop, 3 members of JICA Alumni and our guest form JICA, Mr. Mioshi, who afterwards gave a short statement for local TV station. Same day afternoon another workshop was delivered for all of school teachers, including several teachers from sister school of this central Bijeljina primary school, whose one part was reconstructed by Japanese funds. The aim of this workshop was to enable continuous work of teachers on origami with pupils after the workshop. More than 30 present teachers were very interested, staying at workshop double longer than planned. Ms. Gavranović provided several books about origami for school’s library.
Second day we had the event open for all interested citizens. It was consisted of two parts. First part „Haiku in Japan and the Balkans“ was dedicated to lesson on haiku poetry, leaded by special guest Mr. Nedeljko Terzić, publisher, journalist and haiku writer, rewarded in Japan for his poetry. Second part, named „Possibility of origami art“, was dedicated to origami as art and life philosophy, leaded by Ms. Gavranović. More than 50 present citizens were enjoying this event, where JICA alumnists provided intro session giving their own anecdotes from Japan. This event was also covered by state and local media, like RTRS, BNTV, and Slobomir TV.
Third day, there was a projection of old Japanese movie „Ran“ from the last century. Fifty people were enjoying almost 3 hours of this Kurosava's masterpiece.

 

"Promotion of friendship between BiH and Japan", Banja Luka, 14 February 2014

 

“Promotion of friendship between BiH and Japan” was an activity organized by JICA Alumni which was held in the amphitheater of the Institute for Public Health, Banja Luka. Several students of highs schools, teachers, members of JICA Alumni and Japanese culture lovers joined this event.
The event was organized by Suzana Gotovac – Atlagic and Marko Tutnjevic, members of the Association, with cordial help of Mrs and Mr. Kusakabe, guests from Japan.
The event included the following agenda:
1. Organizer’s welcome word : “JICA Alumni in BiH”, mr.ecc. Marko Tutnjevic;

2. “Nihon no genki”, anecdotes Doc. Dr. Suzana Gotovac-Atlagic, ex Japanese scholarship student and honorary member of JICA Alumni in BiH
3. “Nihon no bunka shoukai”, presentation of Japanese culture, Prof. Dr. Satoshi Kusakabe;
4. “Ganbaru chikara”, unplugged, life story of young people in after war Japan and its struggle to rehabilitate, Mrs. Kusakabe;
5. Sushi snack and refreshment for visitors
In the opening part, Marko Tutnjevic introduced the Association and underlined that significant number of BiH people had chance to experience life in Japan, in duration from 1-2 months to several years and that majority of them put their effort to apply the knowledge gathered in Japan to everyday professional situations in BiH.
Suzana Gotovac-Atlagic shared some photographs with smiling faces of Japanese people whom she spent her time with in Japan. She talked about the strength of spirit of these people in hard times, still keeping smile on their faces. She also mentioned their modest way of living, without exaggeration in clothing, and love for simple things, hobbies, searching for the purpose of life in everyday small things, friendship and spirit of solidarity. At the same time, besides this simplicity in behavior and relaxed appearance, Japanese are characterized by extraordinary professionalism, preciseness and commitment to what they undertook as their responsibility. It was emphasized that it would be good if this spirit we, and through cooperation in group and solidarity.
The special guest in the evening was prof. Satoshi Kusakabe. Professor Kusakabe was a teacher in Tokyo Rika Daigaku University. He holds a PhD in chemistry, but after his retirement as a successful scientist, he chose to work in Japanese culture and language promotion in Europe. This is why he lives now between Maribor and Zagreb, and he works as an associate at the University of Zagreb. He presented a scheme of Japanese history and the role of education in the country’s development, stressing high level literacy, as from 1918 onwards over 99% of Japanese graduated from high schools. Then he presented the pictures of devastated Tokyo 1945 and compared them with today’s Tokyo, emphasizing the role of young people in the after war reconstruction.
Mrs. Kusakabe held a pleasant closing presentation. In her young age, she was very active in helping suffering people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She emphasized great courage showed by of Japanese women, mothers in these hard times and communal spirit. Her presentation was aimed to prove that human beings show their maximum strength when doing things for others, and not only for themselves.
Given the fact that it was the Valentine day, Mrs. Kusakabe told us a few funny stories from her marriage with Mr. Kusakabe and stressed that in a marriage it was very important that both husband and wife have their own interest, hobbies and dreams and to support each other.
At the end a discussion started, where students and teachers asked about Mrs. And Mr. Kusakabe’s impressions in Europe. After 30 minutes of discussion, the program was over and the guests were served with sushi snacks and refreshments, and they enjoyed Japanese pop music.

 

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Report prepared : Suzana Gotovac - Atlagic i Marko Tutnjevic