PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 11-13A

Islamabad: 15 March, 2011

The Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement) Demonstration and Certificates Award Ceremony was held with solemnity and somberness at the National Art Gallery (PNCA) on 15th March 2011 as a part of the cultural activities held during the “Japan Week”. The Embassy of Japan is holding “Japan Week” from 10th March to 16th March 2011 in Islamabad to depict the multi-dimensions of the Japanese culture, old and new.

Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, while speaking at the occasion said that an earthquake and a following Tsunami resulted in tremendous damages across a wide area, centered on North-Eastern part of Japan. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the kind and warm responses of the Government of Pakistan and its people, sharing the grief of the Japanese people through their messages of condolence and sympathy. “Your support and well wishes have enabled us to continue the events of Japan Week in Islamabad” said Ambassador Atsumi.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association, Islamabad, and the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan. The participants of the Ikebana workshop were given certificates at the concluding ceremony. Works by the students of the ikebana workshop, were also displayed at the occasion.

Mrs. Asifa Ataka, a Professor of Ikebana from Karachi, conducted the Ikebana workshop for the beginners and advanced classes from 10th -14th March. Mrs. Ataka studied Ikebana from the Ikenobo School, one of the leading flower arrangement schools in Japan.

Ikebana which literally means “flowers kept alive”, developed into a distinct art form in Japan in the 15th century and is now practiced all over the world including Pakistan. Ikebana is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Attention is given to the choice of plant materials and the container, the placement of branches, keeping ‘less is more’ in mind. The relationship of the branches to the container and the surrounding space, has distinguished this simple decoration of flowers and flowers do not look like flowers but a piece of art. (End)