Culture
Culture | Dec 14 2008
Min-On Sponsors Annual International Student Festivals in Kyoto and Osaka
The 20th Kyoto Foreign Students Music Festival was held at Kyoto Kaikan Hall on November 30, 2008. At this year's event, some 102 students from 17 countries and territories studying at universities and colleges in the greater Kyoto area presented traditional dances, songs and music of their respective cultures in ... read more
Culture | Dec 7 2008
SGI-Brazil Holds Culture Festivals in São Paulo
On November 9, 16, and December 7, 2008, SGI-Brazil (BSGI) members in the metropolitan area of São Paulo held "Soka Humanism Culture Festivals" at three venues. Youth members presented gymnastics, music and dance performances. Some 32,000 BSGI members participated in the festivals as either performers, staff or spectators. SGI President ... read more
Culture | Dec 5 2008
Min-On Sponsors Japan Tour of Jordanian Folklore Group
On November 17, 2008, the National Folklore Group of Jordan began its Japan tour at a culture center in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, at the invitation of the Min-On Concert Association. The tour commemorats Min-On's 45th anniversary. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the 100th country with which Min-On ... read more
Culture | Nov 23 2008
SGI-Philippines Hosts Youth Culture Festival in Mindanao
On November 23, 2008, SGI-Philippines put on the "Mindanao Youth Culture Festival" at the Capitol University on Mindanao Island, the Philippines. Capitol University President Casimiro B. Juarez Jr. and his wife, Dr. Fe Rosales Juarez, attended the festival together with some 3,000 SGI-Philippines members. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda sent a ... read more
Culture | Nov 18 2008
Veracruz, Mexico, Holds Arts Festival Celebrating Soka Gakkai Day
Performances at the festival SGI-Mexico members in Veracruz SGI-Mexico’s fife-and-drum corps and dance group as well as eight other local choirs and folk dance ... read more
Culture | Nov 7 2008
World Boys and Girls Art Exhibition in Belgium
The World Boys and Girls Art Exhibition was held at the Espace Maurice Carême in Brussels, Belgium, from October 29 to November 7, 2008. Some 120 guests, local residents and SGI-Belgium members attended the opening on October 28. Over 100 paintings by children from around the ... read more
Culture | Nov 4 2008
SGI-Panama Youth Participate in Independence Celebration Parade
On November 3, 2008, SGI-Panama’s musical band and fife-and-drum corps, Banda Musical Gloria, marched in a parade in Panama City, celebrating the 105th anniversary of the Republic of Panama's independence. Panama's Ministry of Education sponsored the annual parade. Some 64 band members performed many songs, including Marcha Panama. This ... read more
Culture | Oct 24 2008
SGI-Hong Kong Hosts Lecture on Art and the Museum
Prof. Tang focused on the significance of Hong Kong Museum of Art, referring to Hong Kong's geographical and historical background that has generated a blend of Chinese and Western cultures. He stressed that promoting art among the general public is the museum's primary objective and introduced a memorable exhibition ... read more
Culture | Oct 21 2008
Soka Gakkai Thailand Participates in Birth Anniversary Celebration for Princess Mother of Thailand
On October 21, 2008, a national event to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the birth of the Princess Mother of Thailand Srinagarindra, the mother of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, took place in Bangkok, Thailand. The Princess Mother Memorial Park hosted the event with support from the Thai Ministry of Culture ... read more
Culture | Oct 19 2008
Taiwan's Chin-Shuan Cultural and Educational Foundation Sponsors “Viva Centro America!” Concert
From October 5-19, 2008, “World Music Selection: Viva Centro America!” concerts, featuring the world renowned bands “San Blas” from Panama and “Editus” from Costa Rica, were held throughout Taiwan. Chin-Shuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, established by Taiwan Soka Association (TSA) in 1988 to promote international cultural exchanges in Taiwan, ... read more
Culture | Oct 11 2008
SSA Supports Southeast Asian Youth Exchange and International Day of Peace Visual Arts
SSEAYP is an annual Japanese government-sponsored program that brings together about 300 youth from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and Japan, providing them with opportunities to interact onboard the ship Nippon Maru and at different ports-of-call for 52 days. Some 25 Singapore youth leaders, aged 30 and ... read more
Culture | Oct 5 2008
SGI-Uruguay Celebrates Cultural Heritage Day
On October 4 and 5, 2008, Cultural Heritage Day was commemorated at the SGI-Uruguay Culture Center in Montevideo. The Uruguay Ministry of Education and Culture's Commission of National Cultural Heritage hosted the annual occasion during which historic and cultural facilities are free and open to the public throughout Uruguay. ... read more
Culture | Sep 27 2008
SGI-USA Hosts World Festival of Sacred Music in Santa Monica
"Who knew peace had a house?" With these words, poet and writer Elmaz Abinader greeted the audience at the World Festival of Sacred Music concert "The Way to Peace: Peace Is the Way" held at the SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, USA, on September 27, ... read more
Culture | Sep 26 2008
SGI-Canada Caledon Centre Hosts Headwaters Arts Festival
Located in a wooded area northwest of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, SGI-Canada's Caledon Centre for Culture and Education was the venue for the Headwaters Arts Festival celebrating local creative talent, for the sixth consecutive year. This year's show featured 40 local artists working in a variety of media. ... read more
Culture | Sep 21 2008
SGI-Sri Lanka Holds Youth Culture Festival
On September 21, 2008, Soka Gakkai Lanka Buddhist Association (SGI-Sri Lanka) held a youth culture festival in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Some 150 young people performed in the show titled "Making the Impossible Possible--Storming the Passion of Youth Across the Nation." The festival began with words of welcome from SGI-Sri ... read more
Culture | Sep 20 2008
SGI-Canada Members Participate in Local Charity Event
On September 20, 2008, members of SGI-Canada's Majestic Cedar District and Scarborough Chapter in Toronto, Canada, participated in a charity event in support of a local hospital. Invited to participate, SGI-Canada's contribution to the fundraiser included poetry reading and songs by members of the Majestic Cedar Singers. In addition ... read more
Culture | Sep 19 2008
Taiwan Soka Association Cohosts Poetry Seminar in Taipei
On September 18, 2008, the “China-Taiwan Poetry Study Seminar 2008” took place at the Taiwan Soka Association (TSA) Jin-Zhou Culture Center in Taipei. Chinese Academy's Institute of Poetry Studies, Chinese Poets Society, Soochow University’s Chinese Literature Department and TSA cohosted the event, which aimed to encourage the study, promotion ... read more
Culture | Sep 8 2008
Student Forum Commemorates 40th Anniversary of SGI President’s Proposal for Normalizing Sino-Japanese Relations
September 8, 2008, marked the 40th anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s proposal for normalizing Sino-Japanese relations. To commemorate the occasion, Soka Gakkai students held a peace forum at the Tokyo Toda Memorial Auditorium in Sugamo, Tokyo, inviting renowned journalist Kazuteru Saionji to lecture. An advisor to the national ... read more
Culture | Sep 7 2008
SGI-Brazil Members Participate in Independence Day Festivals
SGI-Brazil (BSGI) young men's Taiyo (Sun) Brass Band and young women's Nova Era (New Age) Fife-and-Drum Corps participated in festivals celebrating September 7, Brazil Independence Day, in 18 cities throughout the country. On September 5, 2008, at the invitation of the state of Amazonas, local BSGI members in Manaus participated ... read more
Culture | Sep 7 2008
Soka Renaissance Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps Wins at National Competition
On September 7, 2008, the Soka Renaissance Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps won top honors for the fifth time in the Japan Cup Marching Band and Baton Twirling National Competition held at the Sendagaya Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo. The band, with a performance titled "Tribal Conquest," also received the ... read more
Culture | Aug 23 2008
SGI-USA Chicago Hosts SIFA Africa Children's Choir Performance
On August 23, 2008, the SGI-USA Chicago Culture Center was the venue for a performance by the SIFA Africa Children's Choir from Masaka, Uganda. SIFA--Swahili for "praise"--is composed of children representing fellow orphans in Uganda and other displaced children throughout Africa. The choir has been touring the United States since ... read more
Culture | Aug 16 2008
Children of Japan and China Celebrate Japan-China Youth Friendship Exchange Year
This year, 2008, marks the 30th anniversary of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty as well as the 40th anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's proposal calling for the normalization of the diplomatic relations between China and Japan. On August 16, 2008, Soka Gakkai youth representatives welcomed a youth delegation from ... read more
Culture | Aug 9 2008
SSA Members Perform at Singapore National Day Parade 2008
On August 9, 2008, Singapore Soka Association (SSA) youth performed at Singapore's 43rd National Day Parade at the Marina Bay Floating Stadium. SSA has participated in the annual event at the invitation of the Singaporean government for the past 23 years. Singapore President S.R. Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien ... read more
Culture | Aug 5 2008
SGI-Korea and SGI-Taiwan Fife-and-Drum Corps Participate in International Festivals
The Arirang Fife-and-Drum Corps, SGI-Korea's young women's band, was one of 13 groups from ten countries invited to perform at the 7th annual Gangneung International Junior Art Festival in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, South Korea. The festival, held this year from August 2-5, 2008, was initiated seven years ago and ... read more
Culture | Jul 26 2008
Soka Gakkai Malaysia Hosts Culture Show in Kuala Lumpur
On July 26, 2008, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) Kuala Lumpur sponsored a culture show at SJK Batang Kali multipurpose hall in Ulu, Selangor, attended by around 1,800 residents. Titled "Melam Mesra Muhibah (An Evening of Harmony) 2008," the show served to promote goodwill and cooperation in the community. Guest of ... read more
Culture | Jul 25 2008
Iranian and Egyptian Ambassadors to Japan Meet with Soka Gakkai President Harada, Respectively
On July 24, 2008, Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Japan, met with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada at the Seikyo Press Building in Shinanomachi, Tokyo. Ambassador Araghchi expressed his hopes that the Soka Gakkai would continue in its efforts of promoting mutual understanding ... read more
Culture | Jul 14 2008
Commemorative Cultural Festival Held in Indonesia; SGI Representatives Meet with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla
On July 13, 2008, the "Religious Art Festival for Peace" took place at the Jakarta International Event and Convention Centre, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan. The musical extravaganza was co-organized by Soka Gakkai Indonesia (SGI-Indonesia), the Indonesian Muslim Artists and Culturalists ... read more
Culture | Jun 22 2008
SGI-Brazil Members Participate in Centennial Celebrations of Japanese Immigration in São Paulo and Paraná
On June 21, 2008, an official event celebrating the centennial of Japanese immigration to Brazil took place in São Paulo at the Anhembi Arena, a 500-meter samba parade ground. SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda attended on behalf of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, who had been invited as a guest of ... read more
Culture | Jun 20 2008
Beyond the Horizon: Photo Exhibition Held at International Maritime Organization Headquarters in London, UK
From June 16-20, 2008, "Beyond the Horizon," an exhibition of photographs taken by the Hato-kai, Soka Gakkai members who work on oceangoing vessels, was shown at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London, UK. Hato-kai and IMO co-organized the event in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the adoption ... read more
Culture | Jun 18 2008
Japanese Art Treasures Exhibited in Brazil on the Centennial of Japanese Immigration
One hundred years ago, Japanese began leaving their country to create new lives in Brazil. Commemorating the centennial of Japanese immigration to Brazil, various events have been taking place in both countries. On June 18, 2008, "Eternal Treasures of Japan--Art of the Samurai" from the collection of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum ... read more
Culture | Jun 7 2008
Soka Gakkai Malaysia Organizes Charity Cultural Festival in Sabah State
On June 6 and 7, 2008, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) held a charity cultural festival at Chancellor Hall on the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah State, east Malaysia. Some 800 SGM youth performed for an audience of about 8,000, who gathered from throughout Malaysia ... read more
Culture | May 18 2008
Soka Gakkai Music Bands Participate in Local Festivals
Soka Gakkai Hyogo Bugle Band marching in Kobe Parade at Fukuyama Rose Festival, Hiroshima During May 2008, many Soka Gakkai marching bands and fife-and-drum corps participated in local events and parades throughout Japan. On May 3, Soka Gakkai Kanagawa Fife-and-Drum Corps and Soka Gran Esperanza Color Guard marched in front of Yamashita ... read more
Culture | May 18 2008
SGI-Laos Holds Culture Festival
SGI-Italy Culture Center in Florence On May 18, 2008, SGI-Laos held a culture festival in the capital, Vientiane, to commemorate May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. Regional dances from around the country were featured, as well as traditional Laotian dances and music performed by youth. The participants reaffirmed their pledge to become ... read more
Culture | May 17 2008
History of SGI-Italy Culture Center Building and Grounds Published
On May 17, 2008, a lecture at the SGI-Italy Culture Center in Florence commemorated the book launch of Le Brache Villa di Bellagio ("Wonderful House of Happiness and Joy"), a compilation of the history of the site. The center's history dates back to the first and second centuries of the ... read more
Culture | May 11 2008
"Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy and Painting Exchange" Exhibition Held in Malaysia
From May 4-11, 2008, SGI-Malaysia (SGM), Cao Tang Men Eastern Arts Society, Malaysia, and Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Society, Singapore, jointly organized the "Singapore-Malaysia Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Exchange" exhibition at the SGM Grand Culture Center in Kuala Lumpur. Tan Sri Dato' Michael Chen Wing Sum, former ... read more
Culture | May 8 2008
Chinese President Hu Jintao and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Meet in Tokyo
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo for 30 minutes in the evening of May 8, 2008. Accompanying President Hu were China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada and youth ... read more
Culture | May 2 2008
"Great Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Exhibition Opens at Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
On May 2, 2008, the "Great Romance of the Three Kingdoms" exhibition opened at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (TFAM) in Hachioji, Tokyo. The show commemorates the 25th anniversary of the museum's founding and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of the Japan-China Peace and Amity Treaty (1978). Over ... read more
Culture | Mar 31 2008
President of Asia Pacific Forum on Families Malaysia Lectures in Osaka, Japan
On March 31, 2008, Datin Paduka Professor Jamilah Ariffin, president of the Malaysia Chapter of Asia Pacific Forum on Families (APFAM) International and adjunct professor of gender studies at the University of Malaya, lectured at the Soka Gakkai Kansai Ikeda Center in Osaka on creating a nurturing family environment that ... read more
Culture | Mar 27 2008
Chin-Shuan Cultural Foundation Sponsors Taiwan Tour of Professional Taiko Drum Troupe
From March 19-27, 2008, Maidaiko Aska-Gumi, a well-known Japanese taiko drum troupe, toured Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung in Taiwan. Chin-Shuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, founded by Taiwan Soka Association with an aim to promote cultural exchanges in Taiwan, sponsored the tour. On March 24, the group performed for the students ... read more
Culture | Mar 18 2008
Soka Gakkai Youth From Kyushu Visit South Korea for Exchange Meeting
From March 15-18, 2008, Soka Gakkai youth representatives from Kyushu, southern Japan, participated in a Korea-Japan Goodwill Trip. This was the fifth exchange between Soka Gakkai Kyushu and SGI-Korea members. On March 15, the Japanese delegation visited the SGI-Korea headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. On March 16, the group participated ... read more
Culture | Feb 22 2008
Visit by State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan of China
On Feburary 22, 2008, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan of the People's Republic of China and his party were welcomed by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and Soka Gakkai youth at the Seikyo Press building in Shinanomachi, Tokyo. The two first met in 1974 on Mr. Ikeda's first trip to China, when ... read more
Culture | Feb 21 2008
Brazil Tourism Minister Speaks on Japanese Immigrants' Contributions to Brazil
On February 21, 2008, some 1,000 BSGI members and their friends attended a lecture by Brazil's Minister of Tourism Marta Suplicy at the SGI-Brazil (BSGI) Culture Center in São Paulo. To commemorate the Japan-Brazil Exchange Year (2008) and the centennial of Japanese immigration to Brazil, Ms. Suplicy spoke on Japanese ... read more
Culture | Feb 18 2008
SGI President Awarded Russian Federation Order of Friendship
On February 18, 2008, Russian Ambassador to Tokyo Mikhail M. Bely presented the Russian Federation Order of Friendship to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo. Mr. Ikeda was recognized for his wide-ranging contributions to the development of Russo-Japanese relations and bilateral exchange for over 30 years. ... read more
Culture | Feb 1 2008
Russian Federation to Present Order of Friendship to SGI President
Since his first visit in 1974 during the Cold War, Mr. Ikeda has visited the former USSR and Russia six times to exchange views with Russian leaders and cultural figures. He has also promoted educational and Cultural Activitiess on a grassroots level through educational, academic and cultural institutions he has ... read more
Culture | Jan 31 2008
Soka Gakkai Malaysia Promotes Local Artists
Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) collaborated with several art societies to introduce the works of local artists at its SGM Perak Culture Center from January 24-31, 2008. The "Chinese Art, Poetry & Calligraphy" exhibition displayed 135 works by 30 local artists, poets and calligraphers. The Shan Cheng Poets Society of Ipoh, ... read more
SGI Facebook Page