Press release

jAPANESE art and speech competition about japan held at islamabad

Islamabad: 19th September 2012

To promote creativity of the talented young students of Pakistan, the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association, Islamabad has organized an Art and Speech Competition about Japan on Wednesday 19th September, 2012 at the National Art Gallery, Islamabad.  The Embassy of Japan in Pakistan has held this event in various cities of Pakistan since 1995, which amounts to seventeen years. Different schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi participated in the Art and Speech Competition about Japan. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan.

Two 12 to 14 years-old students from each school drew pictures in the art competition on the themes of their own choice related to Japan and Pakistan. There is no doubt that art nurtures one’s self-esteem, self-discipline and self-motivation. It provides an outlet for the creativity and expression that reflects emotions, critical thinking and relationships. Art can also play a major role in the development of an aesthetic sense. To judge the creativity of young artists, Ms. Fauzia Minallah, renowned artist, writer and publisher of book on Sadako, Ms. Anjum Ayub, artist & designer, made up the panel of judges for the Art Competition.

Similarly, one student from each school competed in the Speech Competition in Urdu with a topic related to Japan. The panel of judges for the speech competition comprised of Mrs. Nabila Sajjad, Assistant Professor (head of Urdu department & debating society), Islamabad Model College for Girls, F-7/4, Mrs. Tahira Ikram, Associate Professor (Retd) Waqar-un-Nisa Post Graduate College, Rawalpindi, and Mr. Sultan Sikander Khan, former President MAAP.

This competition provided an opportunity for young and talented students to focus and to express themselves on the growing cordial relations between Japan and Pakistan. In the future, they may help to hold bridges of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
On the recommendations of the judges, the prize winners of the Children’s Art Competition About Japan were as follows:
First Prize:     Rabiya Tariq, Springfield Public School, Rawalpindi
Second Prize: Saad Mehmood, Head Start School, Islamabad
Third Prize:   Tehreem Qutab Awan, Springfield Public School, Rawalpindi

The Names of the Prize Winners in Speech Competition were as follows:
First Prize:   M. Haris Dilawar, Divisional Public School & College, Rawalpindi
Second Prize: Huma Qayyum, Fazia Inter College, Jinnah Campus, Rawalpindi
Third Prize:   Binte Zehra, SLS Montessori & High School, Islamabad

Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, Counselor, Public Affairs Section, Embassy of Japan, and Mr. Waqar Hanif, Director PNCA, awarded certificates and souvenirs to the position holders of the Art and Speech Competition about Japan. All students were given certificates of participation. (End)