Opening Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Yasuhisa Kawamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Third Event of “Peace is…”

UN Visitors Lobby, GA Building 1st Floor

16 June 2017

 

 

Excellencies,                   

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

          I would like to thank you all for joining us today. I would also like to thank Ms. Hua Jiang, Director for the News and Media Division of the Department of Public Information, for being our master of ceremonies for the third event of “Peace is…”

 

          Some of you may recall the Plaster Wall Event last December, which commemorated Japan’s 60th anniversary in the UN with the construction of a giant plaster wall on which messages of peace were engraved. While the plaster wall was short-lived, the memories and prayers for peace on the wall left a lasting impression on all of us. Out of this collective experience, our initiative, “Peace is…” was born.

 

          “Peace is…” initiative uses art and culture as a medium through which we can better connect with the UN and its objectives. Throughout the initiative, the Permanent Mission of Japan has collaborated with Japanese artists residing in New York, who believe in the power of art to bridge divisions and bring people together.

 

          That said, I am delighted to present Ms. Masako Inkyo, who, in tribute to last week’s Ocean Conference, will create the ocean on the long sheet of traditional Japanese “washi” paper in front of you. Ms. Sahoko Sato-Timpone will guide you along a “tour of the paper ocean” with her songs in English, French and Spanish.  Following Ms. Inkyo’s demonstration, we ask that you all write your messages for peace on the “washi” paper in your respective mother languages.

 

          Today, instead of creating another plaster wall, we will present you with a long sheet of “washi” paper on which you can contribute your own message for peace.

Do not worry, even if you don’t know how to write Calligraphy, the master calligrapher, Ms. Masako Inkyo, and her disciples will kindly assist and guide you.

 

Thank you again for your time, and please enjoy the program.