Love Letter from Brussels
A Good Beginning Makes All Good! (No.30)
January 26, 2016
Opening ceremony and Gala Reception at the Egmont Palace
On January 19, the Opening ceremony was held at the Egmont Palace, which is part of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At last, the celebration of 150 years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium has officially started.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Didier Reynders, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Yoji Muto as well as the “150 years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium” Friendship ambassador and former President of the EU Mr. Van Rompuy held opening speeches. Afterwards, Emeritus Professor Vande Walle of the KU Leuven University, as the founder of the Japanology department and with more than 30 years of teaching experience, gave a commemorative speech about the history of the relations between our two countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs Mr. Peeters was also present at the ceremony and it was a great honor to have two out of four Deputy Prime Ministers of the cabinet attend. Minister Muto also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Jambon during his two day stay.
After the Opening Ceremony, the celebrations proceeded at another part of the Egmont Palace for the Gala Reception. First, there was the traditional Gagaku music performance by Kita no Dai to officially open the reception. The marvelous music and dance performance even made Minister Reynders take his smartphone to take pictures. Following the congratulatory speeches of the President of the Chamber of Representative, Mr. Bracke, who is also the chairman of Japan-Belgian Parliamentarian Group, BJA president Mr. Declerck and Nihonjinkai president Mr. Waki, there was the ceremonial breaking of a sake barrel, to which Mr. Van Rompuy and Minister Peeters also participated. The sake was Dassai produced by a brewery in Yamaguchi area, which was one of the generous sponsors of the event.The attendance of persons from all areas who put great effort in the development of the Japanese-Belgian relations, the sponsors who offered their kind support as well as others at the Opening Ceremony and Gala Reception, resulted in a great coming together. Once again, I thank you wholeheartedly.
Kita no Dai’s “Miyabi” Gagaku Performance at Bozar
This year, there are events of every kind planned in many areas of the country. In the evening of January 23rd, a premium performance of Gagaku music was held at Bozar, which can be called as the most famous theatre in Brussels. It is not too much to say that this was the first large scale event just after the official opening ceremony. The event was held with the support of the George Arthur Forrest Foundation and attended by many VIP’s. Such VIP’s included Mr. Louis Michel, the father of the present Prime Minister, who has assumed such important posts as Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the European parliament, along with his spouse. The tickets for this popular event were completely sold out, resulting in a full house.
The performance started with the introduction of the music instruments. In the course of the program, there were also flower and tea performances. Following this intermezzo, there were all kinds of musical and dance performances which amounted to an impressive and gorgeous experience. Chairman Iguchi of the Kita no Dai Gagaku ensemble and his spouse, as well as the former head of the Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency’s Board of Ceremonies Mister Anzai, participated. Mr. Anzai and Mr. Iguchi came to my residence before the performance and we had valuable talks about various topics. For me, it was my first experience with genuine Gagaku music and I can say I enjoyed it thoroughly.Well then, before the performance, I took the opportunity to give a simple opening speech just after the president of the Forrest Foundation had done so. In it, I touched upon the fact that during these times following the Paris attacks of November last year, when people are wondering if they should visit Belgium or not and if the situation is safe or not, the people of Kita no Dai proceeded according to the plan though it was actually the first large-scale event. This performance, I explained, is not only a symbol of Japanese tradition going back over 1.000 years in history, it is also about friendship and solidarity, which are exemplified by this trust Japan has towards Belgium. I think the Belgians present thought the same way. Mr. Anzai and the people of the Kita no Dai ensemble, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you very much.
Belgian Diplomats Photo Exhibition at the JICC
Actually, preceding the Opening Ceremony on January 14, there was a kind of pre-opening event at the embassy’s own Japan Information and Cultural Centre (JICC) by the name of “Belgian Diplomats Photo Exhibtion”, which lasted until January 26. It was an exhibition which by means of photo albums showed the first Belgian Ambassador appointed to Japan from 1921 until 1939, Baron Albert de Bassompierre. Among many others, there were pictures of former Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe visiting the Belgian Embassy and a group picture with former Foreign Minister Kijūrō Shidehara and his spouse. These are valuable records which allow us to see the world through the eyes of the Belgian Ambassador to Japan during his stay: the Japanese scenery, the people and the landscapes.
This exhibition was made possible with the cooperation of a grandchild of Baron de Bassompierre and owner of the photo albums, Baroness Jonet. She gladly agreed to display the albums. I thank you very much, Ms. Jonet. From the viewpoint of the 150 years of friendship between Japan and Belgium this exhibition also has a very symbolic meaning. The reason being that the de Bassompierre family, after Baron Albert as well, brought forth many generations of excellent diplomats. One of them is Mr. Pierre de Bassompierre, who is currently the deputy chief of mission at the Belgian Embassy in Japan and leading the 150 years celebration.Stay Tuned！
In conclusion, thanks to all these people, the 150 years of friendship was able to take a splendid start. From now on, in every month, many events are scheduled and I will tell you all about the latest good news here. At last, it has been decided that in June of this year, Ichikawa Ebizō will hold a performance of the Genji Monogatari at De Singel theatre in Antwerp. From this time onwards we will be frequently updating our event calendar so please stay tuned!