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

“Cultural Performance by a Japanese Drum Troupe on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between Timor-Leste and Japan”

The Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste held musical performances and cultural exchanges events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and Japan.

 

 

The Embassy of Japan invited a Japanese drum troupe, OTO Sound from Ishikawa Prefecture, which consisted of 7 drummers, 1 Japanese banjo player, 1 Japanese traditional folk singer and 1 samurai.

 

For their visit to Timor-Leste, the troupe especially practiced a Japanese song famous in Timor-Leste, Kokoro no Tomo (Soul Mate) wishing for a brighter future of Timor-Leste and further consolidating the bonds between Timor-Leste and Japan.

 

 

On May 19, the drum troupe visited Ahisaun Foundation whose institution was rehabilitated by the Japanese government in 2008 and Arte Moris to promote cultural exchanges through music, and visualize the chemistry of harmonizing the Japanese traditional and modern music with the Timorese traditional rhythms.

 

On May 22, the Embassy co-hosted the cultural performances with the Office of Secretary of State for Culture and invited Secretary of State for Culture Mr. Virgilio Smith,. The troupe showed their skillful performances and visualized the chemistry of cross-cultural collaboration between Japanese traditional and modern music with the Timorese traditional rhythms with artists in Arte Moris. During the drum troupe’s performances, approximately 500 participants including 400 school students enjoyed the two troupes’ dynamic performances on the stage.

 

 

On May 23, the drum troupe visited Saint Paul High School and Farol Public Primary School and held the performances for 500 students and 300 students respectively. When their performers played a Japanese song, Kokoro no Tomo, th students and teachers sung together with the Japanese performers. The students and teachers also participated in workshop of playing Japanese drums. The workshop attracted many audiences, especially the youths.