Sister Cities Nagasaki and Leiden Celebrate official ties

 On Thursday November 30, celebrations were held in Leiden City Hall to commemorate the signing – 5 days earlier in Japan – of the official Sister City relationship with Nagasaki. In a brief presentation, Alderman Paul Dirkse outlined

the importance of the sister city relationship with Nagasaki. Director of Japan Museum SieboldHuis and Chair of the Leiden Friends of Nagasaki Foundation (SLVN), Kris Schiermeier gave an account of the many places Japan can be found in Leiden including a section of the ‘Singelpark’ that will highlight Nagasaki in particular and Japan in a more broader perspective.

Jessica Hilhorst then spoke of her experiences during her six month stay in Nagasaki and elaborated on the opportunities that this sister city relationship could bring to both cities.   Professor Dr. M. Forrer gave an animated account of his work on the restoration of Dejima.  A reception followed.

Media coverage (Dutch):

Gemeente Leiden Sleutelstad LD
UL KaternJapan Leiden Marketing
LeidenTV UnityFM SP Leiden

V-Varen Nagasaki promoted to J1 for first time

V-Varen Nagasaki earned promotion to the J. League’s first division for the first time on Saturday.

V-Varen, competing in the J2 since 2013, sealed a second-place spot in the league with a 3-1 home win over Katamare Sanuki behind goals from Daichi Inui, Yusuke Maeda and Hijiri Onaga. A crowd of 22,407 was on hand at Transcosmos Stadium to witness the historic event.

V-Varen will join second-division champions Shonan Bellmare in the J1 next season, while another J2 team will earn promotion through a playoff involving the teams finishing third to sixth.

ref. Japan Times

Twin City Celebrations

Since 2013 the cities of Leiden and Nagasaki have enjoyed an official Friendship Affiliation.  On Friday, 24 November this friendship affiliation will be elevated to that of Twin Cities in a signing ceremony to take place in Nagasaki.  We are extremely grateful to all those whose efforts and cooperation have led to this end, in particular to the late Aad van der Luit and the City Middelburg.

The Leiden Friends of Nagasaki Foundation is therefore pleased to celebrate the relationship with Nagasaki on Thursday 30 November 2017.

The Speakers:

Professor dr Matthi Forrer (1948) studied Japanese Language and Culture at the University of Leiden and East Asian Art History at the University of Amsterdam. Professor Forrer is Senior Researcher Japan Collections at the Museum for Ethnology in Leiden and lecturer  Material Culture of pre-Modern Japan at the University of Leiden.

Professor Forrer has been closely involved in the restoration of Deshima in Nagasaki.

 

Jessica Hilhorst (1977) Studied Japanese Language at the University of Leiden and is

Senior Policy Officer for Education Innovation at the City of Leiden.  In 2016 Hilhorst spent  six months at the International Affairs Division of the City of Nagasaki.  Ms Hilhorst has been closely involved in the groundworks leading towards the establishment of a Twin City relationship with Nagasaki and was involved in the establishment of the initial Friendship Affiliation and visit to Japan of Leiden Mayor Lenferink in 2013.

Japanmarket

Over 10,000 visitors were welcomed to the10th annual Japan market held on Sunday 4 June 2017.  Blue skies, sunny weather and a record 70 market stands all added to the success of this event.

There was great interest for the stand shared by the Cities of Leiden and Nagasaki in particular with regard to the ties between our two cities.

Many thanks go to Mayu Fujisawa (Nagasaki), Jessica Hilhorst and Marian Weevers (Leiden) and Kuniko and Matthi Forrer as well as to the City of Leiden for providing the Leiden Friends of Nagasaki Foundation with the opportunity to promote our shared friendship.

We look forward to the next edition in 2018!

Nagasaki Meet&Greet

On April 19th a delegation from Nagasaki led by the Honorary Consul General of the Netherlands Mr. Masahide Shimazaki was given a warm spring-time welcome to Leiden.

The delegation began with a visit to Japan Museum where they were met by museum director Kris Schiermeier and Kuniko Forrer. After a tour of the museum and a photo shoot in the garden, the delegation made its way over the sunny Rapenburg to the Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Garden).

There they strolled through the garden and listened as Hortulana Carla Teune gave a detailed explanation of the many Japanese plants and trees there.

While enjoying a lunch served on board, the delegation made its way by boat (courtesy of the ‘Leidse Rederij’) to the Museum for Volkenkunde and were met by director Stijn Schoonderwoerd and curator Daan Kok. In addition to viewing the permanent collection, the group also stopped to
see the recently opened exhibition ‘Cool Japan’ before continuing on to the depot where they were shown a number of exceptional Japanese prints.

Next stop, again by boat over the canals, was Het Arsenaal where the delegation was welcomed by staff and students of Japanese studies, Alumnikai association ‘Van Hier tot Tokio’, Student association ‘Tanuki’, University of Leiden, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), City of
Leiden and representatives of corporate Leiden. Alderman for Education, Sports and Sustainability, Paul Dirkse was also present.

Guests were treated to the best herring in the Netherlands courtesy of Atlantic and refreshments compliments of Japan Museum SieboldHuis.

After receiving a special flag from the delegation for use during performances, the Leiden Dance ensemble ‘Japanse Yosokoi’ gave a spectacular performance. Jazz singer Annelies de Bruin and pianist Sophie Anglionin of ‘Just as Jazz’ treated to guests to a delightful closing
performance with their interpretation of Yuki no Hana by singer Mika Nakashima.

The delegation said their farewells and departed for City Hall where they were received by Leiden Mayor Henri Lenferink.

Many thanks to all those who worked together to make this an unforgettable day!

Leidsch Dagblad: Vriendschap Japan-Leiden bezegeld met haring

https://www.leidschdagblad.nl/leiden-en-regio/vriendschap-japan-leiden-bezegeld-met-haring-video

 

 

Meet & Greet Nagasaki

Meet & Greet Nagasaki

Het Arsenaal – Leiden

19 April 2017 15:00 – 17:00

It is with pleasure that I extend to you an invitation to join us at a Meet & Greet with the Nagasaki Dutch Friendship Association on Wednesday, 19 April 2017,

Meet & Greet Nagasaki Dutch Friendship Association

Wednesday,  19 April 2017

15:00 – 17:00 hours (door opens 14:30)

Arsenaalstraat 1, Leiden

You are kindly requested to register for this event no later than Thursday, 13 April 2017. As the number of participants is limited. Click here to register: online form.

The delegation, led by Honorary Consul of the Netherlands Mr. M. Shimazaki will include members of the  Nagasaki Dutch Friendship Association, corporate representation, members of the Press, Nagasaki University and Nagasaki Prefecture.

Organisers of this event are the Leiden Friends of Nagasaki Foundation in cooperation with the University of Leiden, Japan Studies, Tanuki (Leiden Association of Students of Japanese & Korean), Leiden Alumni Association: ‘Van hier tot Tokyo’ and  the Japanese dance group: Raiden Yosokoi.

Programme details:

  • Welcome speech(es)
  • Corporate presentations (for details/registration:ronald.hilhorst@leiden-nagasaki.nl
  • Meet with friends and counterparts in Nagasaki (Alumni and students will assist in overcoming Language barriers)
  • Performance by Dance Group Raiden Yosokoi
  • Refreshments

During their one-day visit to Leiden, the Nagasaki Dutch Friendship Association will enjoy a varied programme including visits to Japan Museum SieboldHuis, Hortus Botanicus, Museum for Ethnology, and Leiden City hall. Transportation by boat from the Hortus Botanicus, Museum for Ethnology and het Arsenaal will be provided by  Leidse Rederij (Leiden Boat Rental).

We look forward to welcoming you on 19th April in Het Arsenaal.

Cordially yours,

Kris Schiermeier

Chairman Leiden Friends of Nagasaki Foundation (SLVN)

The visit of the group from Nagasaki is possible by the support of:

Leiden, Lipsius; March 30, 13:00 – 17:30 hours: Asia and the Dutch: 400 years of interactions across the globe

On the 30th of March, the Historical Study Association and Chinese Study Association will jointly organize a symposium that aims to highlight the interactions that were of major importance in shaping the heritage that is marked by a unique blend of Dutch an Asian influence and changing interactions for nearly half a century. It is part of the Leiden-Asia year, that celebrates the old and enduring relationship between the Dutch and Asia. The themes that they’d like to discuss are:
> Diplomatic relationships between Asia and the Netherlands

> Scramble for the spices: trade, diplomacy, knowledge exchange and war at the Southeast Asian trade hub of Makassar

> The migration history of the Chinese Indonesians to the Netherlands
> World War Two and the Crisis of Empire in Asia (Dr. Ethan Mark, specialized in modern Japanse history with particular expertise in Japanse imperialism and the social and cultural history of the 1920s-1940s)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1670042623296906/

Link: http://www.leidenasiayear.nl/

Address: Cleveringaplaats 1, 2311 ES Leiden

19th of April 2017: save the date!

On Wednesday, April 19th, a delegation of the Japanese-Dutch Society of Nagasaki will pay its traditional biennial visit to Leiden. Members will be received by the mayor, Mr. Henri Lenferink and will call at Japan Museum Sieboldhuis, Museum for Ethnology and Hortus Botanicus. Representatives from the university of Leiden; Japan studies; Student & Alumni associations, local companies and organisations and dance group Yosakoi Raiden will have ample opportunity to become acquainted and interact with their counterparts from Nagasaki at a ‘Meet and Greet Event’ organised by the Leiden Friends of Nagasaki Foundation (SLVN).

Save the date in your agenda:

wednesday 19th of April 2017,

15:00 – 17:00,

Het Arsenaal, Arsenaalstraat 1, Leiden

Do you want to receive updates on and an invitation to this event. Please register to receive our mailing.

Dutch Public Radio: On the tracks of history: Back to Dejima part 2

For centuries Dejima was the Japanese window for the West and vice versa the little island was the window to Japan for the West. This was possible through the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Even today every child in Japan is thought about the VOC and Dutch Trading post of Dejima. Mr. Marten Minkema travelled to the island and made this documentary for the Dutch Radio (in Dutch). Part 2 was aired last sunday: deel twee van ‘Terug naar Deshima’.



Dutch Public Radio: On the tracks of history: Back to Dejima part 1