Sri Lanka- Japan interactions in Colombo and Jaffna

The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka together with the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Foundation has a treat in stores for art enthusiasts as they will be staging a variety of aesthetic events in November and December. Their Sri Lanka- Japan interactions will not only be limited to Colombo this year as the team has decided to take their productions to the Jaffna regions as well.

The events are part of the celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.

The programme schedule will also include a movie, Wanko - The Story of Me, My Family and My Dog. It will be screened at the Veerasingham Hall, Jaffna, on November 16. A family tale which portrays the friendship between a boy and his dog, 'Wanko' is based on a true tale of a family torn apart by an unimaginable natural disaster.

A Classical Music Concert by the Symphony Orchestra, Music from around the world, conducted by Kobayashi will also be held at the Veerasingham Hall, Jaffna, on November 17 at 4.30 pm. This concert too will feature Suzuki and entrance will be free.

The Randooga Workshop which introduces the method created by Japanese master of jazz piano Masahiko Satoh to use improvisation as the way of nonverbal communication to enhance dialogue with oneself and between people will be held in Jaffna from November 27 to 29. A workshop will be held in Colombo too on November 26.

A special concert of improvisation of jazz piano by Masahiko Satoh and sitar by Pradeep Ratnayake will be held at Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo, on December 2. Akiko Uesugi (singer), Isaac Smith (bassist) and others will join the duo in Colombo and Jaffna.

The Aun & Hide Musical Concert will take place at the National Youth Service Council (NYSC), Maharagama, on December 7 and at the Hotel School Auditorium, Colombo, on December 8.

It will feature hree talented Japanese artists playing traditional Japanese musical instruments such as Taiko (drums), Shamisen (Japanese guitar) and fue (Japanese flute).

A Japanese traditional percussion presenting a mix of classics, semi-classics and modern music will also be on offer.

“We consider these major cultural events in Colombo and Jaffna as part of Japan’s support towards the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to promote national reconciliation and harmony and also a true expression of the warm friendly relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and an excellent medium to mark such an important milestone in our friendly ties,” said Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo.