Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Fukuoka Asia Month 2012
Asia Month has been held as a gathering of people from throughout Asia in Fukuoka City since 1990. It is both an opportunity for people to transcend language and borders to deepen their mutual understanding, and an Asian festival in which the citizens can easily participate. Several events are planned throughout the city during the month. They include the Focus on Asia – Fukuoka International Film Festival, based on the concept of offering contemporary Asian entertainment; the Fukuoka Prize, which is an expression of respect for the people who have contributed to scholarship and culture in Asia, and a venue for providing awards that communicate those contributions to the world; and the Asian Pacific Festival Fukuoka, which features stage performances, food stalls, merchandise sales, and PR events for tourism.
Fukuoka Independent Film Festival
The objective of this film festival is for exchange through the presentation of films made by people in Japan and overseas. This year, more than 160 films by independent filmmakers will be screened.
●Dates: 9/6 (Thu.)~ 9/11 (Tue.)
●Location: Ajibi Hall, Renovation Museum Reizenso (Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata Ward)
●Admission fee: Six-day pass, ¥500 (The pass is free with the presentation of a purchased ticket for the Fukuoka International Film Festival)
●Access www.fidff.com for the films to be shown and the schedule
Asian-Pacific Food Stalls
Stalls where visitors can enjoy food from Asian countries will be set up in Fureiai Hiroba at City Hall. Admission is free.
The Fukuoka Prize Citizens’ Forum
The Grand Prize was awarded to environmental philosopher Vandana Shiva of India. She has expressed original ideas about the love of nature and protecting the dignity of life. A commemorative seminar in English, Earth Democracy, will be held from 18:30~20:30 on Tuesday, Sep. 11, at ACROS Fukuoka B2F.
The Academic Prize was awarded to Thai historian Charnvit Kasetsiri. There will be a seminar with Prof. Kasetsiri on the topic Maritime Relations Involving the International Capital Ayutthaya: From Japan to Arabia on Sep. 14 from 18:30~20:30 at ACROS Fukuoka B2F.
One Arts and Culture Prize went to filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik of The Philippines. There will be a seminar and film screening at Elgala Hall from 13:30~18:30 on Sep. 16.
Another Arts and Culture Prize went to Koes Murtiyah Paku Buwonon of Indonesia, a court dancer. A seminar with a dance demonstration will be held from 13:30~15:30 on Sep. 15 at Elgala Hall. To apply for admission, call the toll-free number (0120-259-666) or access the website (http://fukuoka-prize.org/) by Sep. 3.
Yipee! For FREE!
Machinaka Art Gallery
Solicitations are now being held for young artists to use public spaces as sites for artistic expression in seven locations between Hakata and Tenjin. (They are Amu Plaza Hakata, Reizenso, the former Hakata Primary School, Kawabata Chuo Shotengai, two spots in Kego Park, and Nakasu Hakatabune, a boat cruising the river. The art will be judged on the theme of Change, and the work of five groups of artists in different genres, including paintings and graffiti, and the works of two groups of artists from Busan, South Korea, will be exhibited from Sep. 14~ Oct. 8.
For more Information
Fukuoka City Bulletin
Fukuoka Shisei Dayori is City Hall’s official magazine published bi-weekly on 1st and 15th of each month 23 times per year. It’s available in Japanese online too. Consider using it for Japanese study! ふくおか市政だより Website: www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shisei/kouhou-hodo/shiseidayori/
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn165, Sep. 2012)