Japanese | Tetum

Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste
在東ティモール日本国大使館

 

 

 

 

Public Relations and Culture

“The Year of Friendship and Peace between Japan and Timor-Leste”

Cultural Events in Dili, Baucau and Liquica

Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste held cultural events in the three districts as one of various activities to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and Japan.

The Embassy of Japan organizes a variety of cultural events under the theme of “The Year of Friendship and Peace between Japan and Timor-Leste” to further strengthen our bilateral ties which was officially established in 2002 when Timor-Leste restored independence.

 

Three Japanese experts, Mr. Sakai, Ms. Abe and Ms. Okamoto were dispached by the Japan Foundation to Timor-Leste. They visited the Laga orphanage in Laga in Baucau District on February 6, the AGAPE School for the hearing impaired in Dili on February 8 followed by the Bazartete Junior High School and Kindergarden in Liquica District on February 9 and 10.

 

The three Japanese experts demonstrated Japanese traditional children’s plays such as Origami (paper folding art), Kendama (bilboquet) and Taketombo (bamboo propellers). Along with the hands-on demonstration, they also made a presentation to introduce other types of plays.

 

During the demonstration, they let the Timorese children have a chance to actually make Kamihikoki (paper planes) themselves, and also taught two kinds of child songs, Okina kuri no ki no shita de(Under a Big Chestnut Tree) and Fushigina poketto (Magic Pocket) by means of interactive panels to facilitate children’s active engagement.

 

Among the activities in these cultural events, Origami and Taketombo were especially very attractive to Timorese children because of their simplicity to master the basics as well as their enlightening effect on the children’s challenging spirits to become better at them. Children can make use of unused papers and bamboo to enjoy Origami and Taketombo instead of throwing them in the bin. These kinds of activities enhance children’s creativity and the appreciation for sustainable use of seemingly useless materials to get a lot of fun, hence the deeper understanding of the ethos of the Japanese culture.

 

During the visit to Timor-Leste, the experts also paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Hanada and shared their points of views on Timorese children and plays. They said, “Timorese children have their own abundant creativity and can possibly make use of plastic bottles to invent new kinds of plays on their own, but, at the same time even a small milk carton can be out of their reach”. The experts also dropped by an NGO, Ba Futuru, where three Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers are currently working on volunteer activities such as fund raising, teaching Japanese and dancing, to exchange views on pre-school children education.