Embassy news
Dec. 14 National Day Reception of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Dr. Khalil Hassan, Ambassador of Bahrain to Japan (right), and the reception line welcoming the guests.
The National Day Reception of the Kingdom of Bahrain was held at the Imperial Hotel to celebrate the 40th National Day, the 39th anniversary of opening of the diplomatic relation with Japan, the 12th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the 6th anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Tokyo.
Over 1100 guests kindly attended the reception and enjoyed the cultural exhibition of Bahrain, the traditional cuisine, and wonderful Arab music led by one of the few Oud players in Japan, Mr. Yuji Tsunemi.
After the welcome remark by Dr. Khalil Hassan, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Japan, congratulatory speeches were given by Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and Mr. Kazuyuki Hamada, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
This year the Embassy also introduced the Arabo-Latino music performed by Mi Tierra, which reflects the music of Andalusia, where African, European and Arabs, Jews, Christian and Muslims created the most magnificent art and science by working together in harmony, for six hundred years. A photographic exhibition showing the Japanese Resilience from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami was also shown, with support messages from Bahrain including those of the H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Embassy also displayed over 100 footballs that will be presented to the affected areas of the earthquake and tsunami, and the guests of the reception kindly imprinted their signatures on the three flags that will be sent together with the balls.
Mr. Kazuyuki Hamada, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan (left), and Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (center), kindly gave their congratulatory speeches in response to Dr. Khalil Hassan’s (2nd right) welcome remarks.
Arab traditional music, joined by Japanese traditional musical instruments, was performed by Mr. Yuji Tsunemi and his Ensemble.
There was an exhibition of photographs describing the resilience of Japanese people from the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami, together with support messages from Bahrain. The guests of the reception signed their names on flags to be given to the 3 prefectures most affected by the disaster.
Over 100 footballs, to be presented to the areas hit by the disaster, were also displayed, symbolizing the strong ties between Bahrain and Japan through football.