A four-day ikebana (Japanese floral art) exhibition to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Japan and 550 years of recorded history of Ikenobo Ikebana commenced at a hotel on Thursday. With the year 2012 declared the year of friendship’s celebration, Japan Cultural Centre of the Consulate General of Japan in Karachi, Ikenobo Study Group and Ramada Plaza are jointly organising the ikebana exhibition under the title ‘Celebration’ from February 9th to February 12th.
Sindh Information and Electric Power Minister Shazia Marri inaugurated the event and went through the floral presentations, lauding the efforts of the Ikenobo students for enhancing the natural beauty of flowers.
“Pakistan and Japan enjoy friendly ties for the past 60 years, which reflects a positive image to the international community of Pakistan being a committed and trusted country that has vast potential for the world,” said the minister. She hoped that the event will bring the people of both the countries closer to each other by sharing cultural knowledge and celebrating art.
Marri lauded the efforts of Ikenobo Ikebana President Prof Asifa Ataka and the Japan Consul General staff for organising a number of cultural events in the city aimed at bringing people closer through art.
Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Consul General Masaharu Sato said the amalgamation of Japanese thoughts and designs with Pakistani expertise is a sign of strengthening bonds between the two beautiful countries.
Announcing another mega cultural event in the city, Sato announced the celebration of “Japan Fiest” at Arts Council Karachi on March 10 and 11.
The Ikenobo Ikebana president also spoke on the occasion.
The event is expected to be attended by a large number of foreign missionaries, ministers, celebrities, media persons and government officials. The exhibition is also open for the general public.
