A concert commemorating the founding of the Hungary Culture Center was held at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus Hall of Josai University at 2 PM on October 6, 2007.

The program began with an address by Yoshitomo Tanaka, chairman of the Japan-Hungary Friendship Association, acting as the representative of the Hungary Culture Center in explaining the significance of the center’s founding. Following this, Yasunori Morimoto, Vice President of Josai University, spoke on behalf of University Chancellor Dr. Noriko Mizuta, after which Dr. Istvan Perosa, acting consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary delivered an address. Both men expressed their strong desire to spare no effort to promote further the friendship between Hungary and Japan.

The concert featured performances by violinist Yoshiko Hagiwara and pianist Sayaka Wada, who both studied at the world-famous Franz Liszt Academy of Music in the Hungarian Capital of Budapest. The duo recital was fully lyrical, featuring moments of placid beauty followed by passages of intense emotion. Listeners in the packed hall had a unique opportunity to savor the music and culture of Hungary. Also present at the concert were many members of the diplomatic missions of the EU nations.

Flower bouquets were presented to the musicians at the concert’s conclusion. Ryota Kitajima, a student in the Department of Modern Policy Studies at Josai University who had just returned from Hungary following summer studies at the Budapest Business School, and Ms Jeanette Haraszthy, a student from Hungary presently conducting research on the medieval Japanese poet/essayist Kamo no Chōmei, presented the flowers.

Present at the reception following the concert was Erno Bohar, Hungarian Ambassador to Japan who assumed his duties this past September 19. Ambassador Bohar acknowledged the applause from the audience after being introduced by Yoshitomo Tanaka.

Following this, Josai University Chancellor Dr. Noriko Mizuta spoke of the close ties between Josai University and Hungary, such as the conclusion in January of this year of an Academic Exchange Agreement between the university and Budapest Business School, and matriculation this past September at the Budapest Business School of close to 30 students from Josai University and Josai International University. Chancellor Mizuta concluded her remarks with wishes for ever closer ties of mutual exchange between the university and Hungary. Jitsuhiro Yamada, Chairman of the Gifu Prefecture- Hungarian Friendship Association and the person who submitted the plan for the concert, mentioned how many Japanese students have already been sent to study at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and expressed his wishes for even greater cooperation in the future.

In addition, Professor Osamu Ieda of the Slavic Research Center at Hokkaido University delivered a toast in Hungarian as all present raised their glasses in wishes of continued friendship.

The white and red wines supplied for the reception, not to mention the famous Tokaji wines from Hungary, were all a gift from the Hungarian Embassy for the concert and reception. The AZ Group and other caterers supplied the various culinary delights. All the guests had a rare opportunity to enjoy the spicy Hungarian dishes.

The various organizations comprising the Hungary Culture Center, enterprises and the Hungarian Embassy joined forces in organizing the concert which, needless to say, contributed to increased trust and mutual understanding. The concert was a significant step towards making the Hungary Culture Center an important base for exchange activities between Hungary and Japan.

Material

• Program（English）
• Program（Japanese）
• Program Note（English）
• Program Note（Japanese）