With the exhibition of colorful calendars, where all Japanese culture is reflected, and the holding of interesting Japanese language and manners workshops, this attractive summer cultural panorama began.

The summer season has already begun and with it the cultural panoramas for this summer 2015 in the city of the bell towers, where the person in charge of opening the January activities was the Extension Directorate of the University of La Serena, a unit that began the 8th meeting of Chile and Japan Friendship. The inauguration of this intense week of Asian culture was marked by the interest shown by the audience in the exhibition of “Japanese Calendars”, the language workshop “Japanese for everyone” and the conference on “Japanese Manners”.

The inauguration of this meeting of friendship between Chile and Japan was sealed, symbolically, with the cutting of the ribbon by the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, the academic vice-rector, Dr. Jorge Catalán, the director of Extension, Dr. Catalina Cvitanic and the exhibitor of the Chilean Japanese Cultural Institute, Shinkichi Kanamori, who together with the attendees were able to enjoy the attractive display of Japanese Calendars that is presented at the Extension Center of the state campus until Friday, January 9 .

For the Rector of the ULS, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, this meeting is “one of the many activities to link with the environment that our University has and that in this case, corresponds to what we call Japan Week. Its objective is to show this ancient country to the regional community and at the opening ceremony, we have a display of calendars that is something unique in Chile, where different calendars with Japanese motifs are represented and I think that reflects, to a certain point, the diversity that this country has.” Furthermore, he maintained that these cultural activities strengthen the ties between the state institution and Japan. “As a University, it makes us feel very good to be able to deliver this type of exhibition to the regional community, because the University of La Serena is part of the community and wants to continue fulfilling its social, educational and cultural role, which characterizes us” clarified Rector Avilés.

Likewise, the Director of Extension, Dr. Catalina Cvitanic, highlighted this week's realization of friendship between both nations, since La Serena has become the pioneer city in bringing this type of meetings to the country. “It is a very important milestone to know that we have, for 8 continuous years, the support of the Embassy of Japan, since they recognize this initiative as a unique activity within the country, because there is no other week anywhere in Chile. On the other hand, realizing that indeed, in the community, it produces an impact and there are people who are waiting for this week, whether it be workshops or ceremonies, it is very welcome, and also on the youth side, with the Cosplay contest, which is its third version, we realize that we have reached the hearts of young people with this activity,” he said. 

Language and manners

Audiences of all ages participated in the Japanese language and manners classes, with the speaker Shinkichi Kanamori, who expressed surprise at the successful call generated by the inauguration of this cultural week between both countries and the satisfaction of teaching these two classes. his country. “There are many people who are interested in Japanese culture, they even want to learn the language and this is really surprising because it is a good sign. The Chilean wants to learn new things and applies them. I think this experience is very good and I am very grateful,” he expressed. 

Meanwhile, calendars full of colors and where the entire Japanese culture is reflected through different ecological themes, landscaping, architecture and Japanese clothing, captured the attention and admiration of those attending the exhibition. Zanjiro Tabe, who is the grandson of a samurai, was amazed by this exhibition of Japanese calendars. “This is very good and important for people to have knowledge of Japanese art (…), I worked in Japan and every year we received calendars in large quantities to deliver to different institutions and I see that these are very beautiful, although they are different from those of Japanese companies,” Tabe clarified.

Luiset Vinett, who attended these Japanese activities with her husband and children, has become a faithful follower of the Chile-Japan friendship week and this year she once again admires the rich traditions of the Japanese country. “I think this week in Japan is very good, on another occasion we came to other activities. It is very interesting and positive, anything that allows us to learn helps us and is welcome,” she said, adding that she felt admired by Japanese customs. “I was very struck by the order in which they carry out all types of activities, they have a reverent attitude towards their neighbors, of respect so that they also value the activities that others do and that transcends because they take it and project it towards their home and then towards respect with others,” he expressed. 

For her part, Javiera Cortés, who is only 16 years old, considers herself a lover of Japanese culture and from a very young age she was drawn to tastes from the Asian country. “It is a good opportunity to learn about new cultures (…), it is a way to add important things to our lives, as was taught here, the type of reverence that one has to have towards older people depending on social status. I am interested in this and I would also like several things about this culture to be applied in our daily lives, because it helps us grow as people (...), the order, cleanliness and treatment that they have was what caught my attention the most. ", held.

It should be noted that the holding of this VIII Friendship Meeting between Chile and Japan is organized by the University of La Serena, through its Extension Directorate, in conjunction with the Embassy of Japan in Chile, and will continue to surprise the community. of the Coquimbo Region and tourists with more artistic, scenic and cultural activities, until Friday, January 9.

For more information, just visit the Extension Center, located at 446 Prat Street in La Serena, or call 2204171 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Source: Press Extension Direction