'Love affair' with Armidale brings cultural exchange to UNE

November 08, 2007

A Japanese woman who says she "fell in love with Armidale" during a visit in 1998 has returned to the rural city five times, bringing groups of fellow-citizens with her from Osaka.

Miyako Ohtera chairs an association for retired schoolteachers in Osaka, and it is members of this association who accompany her to Armidale. They combine a two-week language course at the University of New England's English Language Centre with a "cultural experience" of Armidale and its people, staying at UNE's Mary White College. The visit by this year's seven-member group was during the second half of October.

Their hosts in Armidale are the potters Kiyo and Kumi Hashimoto, who arrange the cultural side of their visit – including activities such as garden tours and cooking classes.

Mrs Ohtera, who belongs to a square dancing group in Osaka, practises with a local group whenever she is in Armidale. "I enjoy the atmosphere of Armidale," she said. "And I like the people here: they're so friendly and kind."

One member of her association who has come with her on every visit is 87-year-old Fumiko Kawai. She, too, is a square dancer – and a talented calligrapher and creator of traditional images in silk (kagami-jishi). In 2005 she presented a magnificent example of her silk art – the result of six months' work – to the English Language Centre. (Fumiko Kawai is pictured here standing next to her gift to the English Language Centre, with Miyako Ohtera at right.)

"I always feel well in Armidale," Mrs Kawai said. "Every year I think this will probably be my last visit, but I always come back."

Another member of this year's group – Junichi Kawada – is also a calligrapher. Mr Kawada, who has exhibited his work in Tokyo, Osaka and Nara, gave calligraphy demonstrations both in UNE's School of Arts and the Armidale Art Gallery during his stay.

His demonstration at UNE was part of a Japanese Cultural Day last month organised by UNE staff and students of Japanese with assistance from Mr and Mrs Hashimoto. The half-day program included not only Mr Kawada's calligraphy performance but demonstrations of traditional Japanese dances by other members of Mrs Ohtera's group.

Mark Cooper, Deputy Director of Studies at the English Language Centre, said the group's visits were "always a treat for the Centre".

"Both the teachers and the students thoroughly enjoy their presence," Mr Cooper said. "And it's a linguistic, cultural and social experience for the Japanese group in more ways than one, as they get to meet students from many other countries. This year they mixed with students from Saudi Arabia, Korea and Thailand. They were thrilled to be able to meet such a diverse group of younger people. We look forward to their visits to UNE, and hope they continue."

Posted by Jim Scanlan at November 8, 2007 02:59 PM