TAKAMATSU IN SUMMER 2012 #2
2012年07月30日
In last week’s blog, I looked at flamenco dancing in Sunport, one of the many events we have here in Takamatsu in summer.
The I-Pal Kagawa International Exchange Center is right in the heart of Takamatsu is a place to promote interest in international exchanges, things foreign, by both the city’s and prefectural divisions and meant to foster better relations with other countries and run through the auspices of the Kagawa Prefectural Government Department of international Affairs as a foundation. The numerous ‘foundations’ are somewhat of a legacy from the 70s~90s Bubble Era inasmuch as while still relevant and important, there are less of them now than there were in those days.
I dropped in to the I-Pal to see what was going on there during one of their “Kokusai Festa” (International Festival) events this month.
Compared with only a few years ago, things were pretty quiet as in the past the neighboring Chuo Park (Central Park) was full of marquees with foreign people selling foods from their home countries. It was always a fun event but has dramatically downsized within these last few years.
Harder economic times affect us all no doubt and this year the event has been split in to a smaller number of events divided through the summer months. Better? I cannot say … as a full-time staff at the I–Pal for many years I know the potential for improvement & success is as yet unfulfilled but without doubt, possible, if run with a proactive administration.
Both the city’s I-Pal and the prefecture’s I-Pal offices are in the same building. They have web sites, much useful information and need quite a bit of prodding by visitors to deliver the same. The web site’s information often shows events that have long finished but useful for a general reference.
http://www.i-pal.or.jp/en/
The event I saw on this occasion was to do with Chinese culture and there were some great musical performances.
I’ll be back soon and thanks for taking the time to read our blogs!
"Pat has lived in Takamatsu continuously since arriving here on a one year study and leave 1981. Originally from Tasmania, Australia, he was involved in education at a variety of levels including as a specialist teacher for children with learning difficulties, and at senior high schools throughout the state. Pat is employed full-time by the i-pal Kagawa International Exchange as a co-oridintaor for international relations amongst other duties including traveling to schools and giving talks in Japanese to kids about Australia. He has been involved with youth education exchanges between Japan and Australia for many years.
Pat has been many things in his colorful life including a seaman, helmsman, welder, carpenter, traffic warden, scholarship/studentship winner at the university of Tasmania, staff at the Australian Embassy in London to name but a few. Pat has far too many hobbies which include tennis, playing jazz flutes and saxes, riding bicycles with the Takamatsu Cycling Club all of which his long-suffering family tolerate. Recently he's become interested in painting again. His wife wishes he would put more time in to helping around the house and the garden which he artfully avoids ..."
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Posted by pat at 15:22
