CAIRO - “We hope that education will spread and enrich the minds of all people, that our beautiful nature will be passed on to the next generation and that there will be lasting peace for everyone on Earth, through art, which is our common language.” These friendly words have been written in English, Arabic, Japanese and hieroglyphics on an obelisk given by Japan to Egypt at the Egypt-Japan International Exchange Art Exhibition, being held in the Palace of Arts, Cairo Opera House. “This exhibition aims to strengthen the friendship between Japan and Egypt. Presented in the interests of everlasting world peace, it introduces works created by Japanese artists whose hopes are for a beautiful future world,” said Masatoshi Yabe, who has organised the event on the Japanese side. The exhibition, inaugurated by Japanese Ambassador in Egypt Norihiro Okuda, includes 187 marvellous works: Western and Japanese-style paintings; sculptures, ceramic arts; artistic crafts; photographs; calligraphy; and literature. The literature includes Tanka (a genre of Japanese poetry, now one of the most popular and versatile short forms of poetry in English), Haiku (Japanese poems, each consisting of 17 syllables in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively) and poems. “The arts are better than individuals at transmitting the message of peace. When you look at a painting, you feel it its meaning and its peaceful, warm message,” Yabe told The Egyptian Gazette. The same exhibition also includes the works of Egyptian and Japanese children, depicting what their countries might look like in future. The works of the children are different in some ways, but surprisingly similar in others. “Technology has its effects on children's minds,” said Iman Sherif, an art teacher at the Millennium International School, 60 of whose children are participating in this exhibition. One of the children's paintings is of an aeroplane with the word ‘Taxi' written on it, while another is of strange, ‘Mickey Mouse' shaped homes. “Children are spontaneous and their imagination is inspired by animation, an art which is popular in Japan,” Iman told this newspaper. In her painting, one Egyptian girl, influenced by the recent Egyptian revolt and the presence of the Army in the streets, that in the future there will be tanks driving down the streets instead of cars! “This is the 21st Japan International Exchange Art Exhibition, being held in Egypt this year,” said Yasser Moustafa, the chairman of SP Tours, which has organised the event on the Egyptian side. “Hundreds of Japanese artists were planning to attend the exhibition, but, because of the recent instability here, they've just sent their works,” he added. Japan and Egypt have traditionally enjoyed cordial relations. Considering Egypt to be a very important country for the stability of the Middle East, Japan regards these bilateral relations as the basis of its diplomacy in the region. These relations have steadily developed through increased political, economic and cultural exchange between the two countries, stress officials from the two countries. “It's great to do this exhibition in Egypt after the January 25 revolt. I hope people come to this exhibition to take a look at Japanese art and its message of peace and love,” said Ambassador Okuda.
The Egypt-Japan International Exchange Art Exhibition, being held at the Palace of Arts, Cairo Opera House, is open from 10am-3pm and ends today.
