The wife of the Prime Minister of Japan Akie Abe, the wife of the president of Ukraine Maryna Poroshenko and the wife of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in Ukraine Tomoko Sumi have visited Ukrainian-Japan Center of NTUU “KPI” in June, 6.
The visit was organized within the frameworks of the first in the Ukrainian history visit of the head of government of Japan Shinzo Abe to our country.
The rector of NTUU “KPI”, academician of NAS of Ukraine Mychailo Zgurovskyi, the Center director Olexandr Kushnar’ov and employees of Center and University welcomed the honorable guests at the entrance to science and research library where is the Ukrainian-Japan Center.
Akie Abe, Maryna Poroshenko and Tomoko Sumi had a meeting with the employees of the Center and students of Japanese language courses as well as traditional Japanese art – temari (Japanese national techniques of embroidering on small balls made of fabric), ikebana (traditional art of flower and plants arrangement) and calligraphy.
“I am glad to see your Ukrainian-Japan Center. I am so pleased that students of KPI study Japanese language. I think that now even in Japan there are few people who can be proud of the ability to create temari. As far as it concerns ikebana and calligraphy, earlier all Japanese women mastered these kinds of art, but for the last time young generation doesn’t have such an experience and skills. Thus, I am proud of the fact that there are people in Ukraine that show interest to these arts” – stated the wife of Prime-Minister of Japan Akie Abe, welcoming the participants of the meeting. – This is my first visit to Kyiv. I know that Ukraine undergoes severe times. But, despite all things, Kyiv is wonderful. Mrs. Poroshenko told me that situation in the east regions of Ukraine is quite complicated. Although during our last conversation I told her that the true friend in such situation is the one who gives help and I hope that the negotiations between Mr. Poroshenko and my husband will be successful and substantial. I wish you all success… I will be pleased to tell my friends in Japan about our meeting and if I have a chance I will definitely visit your country again”.
The wife of president of Ukraine Maryna Poroshenko in her welcoming speech noted: “We highly appreciate good relationships that have been established between Ukraine and Japan. Ukrainian-Japan Center of NTUU “KPI”, where we are now, works actively towards relationships strengthening; it gives Ukrainians the opportunity to study Japanese language and successfully realizes educational programs aimed at familiarizing with Japanese culture. The similar projects have an important task – mutual cultural enrichment. I am also pleased to mention long-term collaboration of our countries not only in the field of cultural exchanges but also in financial and social spheres. One of such programs is the project of human safety “Kusanone”. I have already been familiarized on it and together with Embassy of Japan in Ukraine we closely collaborate in terms of this project. So, I would like to express my gratitude again to the government of Japan for support they provide to Ukraine. And in all my sincerity I wish that after this visit the relations between our countries become closer.
The winner of Ukraine-wide Japanese speeches competition Varvara Semchyk welcomed honorable guests on behalf of the listeners of courses that are being held within the framework of educational Center programs.
After the first meeting Akie Abe, Maryna Poroshenko and Tomoko Sumi observed works of students who study traditional Japanese art and had talks with their authors. They also mentioned the exhibitions of colour prints of Japanese artist Toru Ivas, calligraphy and temari that are being exhibited now in the exhibition hall of the Center; they also visited the library, room for tea ceremonies and classrooms.
The meeting was held in surprisingly pleasant and friendly atmosphere, and in the end Akie Abe made photos with the youngest participants – the students of junior courses groups, active in Ukraine-Japan Center.
The picture of guests communicating with the authors of Ukrainian temari.