Fiery speeches, colourful drawings highlight Japanese culture

The event was held to promote students’ creativity.

ISLAMABAD: With students from various schools competing for the top position, the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) was filled with anticipation on Wednesday. The young minds from around the twin cities were waiting for the results of the arts and speech competitions, they had just taken part in.

Organised by the Japanese embassy, the event was held with the aim to promote the creativity of young minds and featured the culture and lifestyle of Japan.

Nearly 55 students from different schools participated in the competition, where they drew pictures representing Japan and Pakistan in various themes.

With rows and rows of students drawing furiously, many seemed to have looked into Japanese culture before coming to the event. Some drew traditional Japanese homes, while others displayed Japanese women in a kimono.

One of the students
used an interesting technique of paper mosaic by assembling tiny cut up papers to form Japanese images, while another participant drew a large sculpture of Buddha with Japanese and Pakistanis shaking hands in front of it.

Faizan, an aspiring artist who has no fingers, could be seen drawing the Japanese countryside with his thumbs, showing little trees and cottages.

“I love to draw and paint, we were given two hours to make our drawings and my friend and I planned beforehand to draw them properly,” said Hira, a young contestant.

The panel of judges comprised renowned artist and writer Fauzia Minallah and designer Anjum Ayub.

Besides the art contest, one student from each school competed in the Urdu speech competition with a topic related to Japan. While some students gave fiery speeches on Japan’s resilience through wars and natural disasters, others praised the country’s ability to carry its culture and modernity together.

“Every year Japan celebrates several cultural holidays with enthusiasm, which boosts patriotism among people and allows the country to move forward,” said Zainab, a student of Roots.

The first prize for the art competition was bagged by Rabiya Tariq from Springfield Public School, while the second prize was awarded to Saad Mehmood from Headstart School. Tehreem Qutab Awan, also from Springfield Public School, secured the third position. Haris Dilawar from Rawalpindi Divisional Public School and College stood first in the speech competition, while Huma Qayyum and Binte Zehra from Fazaia Inter College Jinnah Campus and SLS Montessori and High School stood second and third, respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2012.