RIYADH – Jiro Kodera, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced the opening of the Japan Cultural Month. The Embassy of Japan will be launching a series of cultural events in Saudi Arabia this month here. A Creative Japan Fashion Fair has been organized from Feb.25 to March 11 at Harvey Nichols shop in Faisariyah Mall in Riyadh. Latest Japanese products, cosmetics, gifts and other items are on display for sale. Between March 5-15 the embassy will participate in the Riyadh International Book Fair at the International Exhibition Center. Visitors can find Japanese books on tourism, language, cooking, traditional culture, literature, martial arts etc. A traditional music concert is also being planned here on March 18-19. Between March 26-28 March, the ambassador will host Japanese Film Festival. Three Japanese cartoon movies will be screened for the first time in the Kingdom. Japanese cartoons are called “Anime.” In the last few years, “Anime's” have gained huge popularity among the younger generation of Saudis. Kodera hopes that these events will enhance the cultural ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia and wishes that Saudi citizens will discover that both countries' culture and ways of thinking have many things in common. Further details about the film festival and other events can be found on the embassy's website. – SG
