A two-day Pakistan-Japan Friendship Festival 2014 was held to mark the 62nd Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. Ambassador Farukh Amil (فاروق عامل) highlighted the vibrant and varied culture of Pakistan, saying it was the best medium for the two countries to understand each other. Pakistan, he said, was a land rich with art, civilization, literature, architecture, music and many languages.
For the first time at the annual Festival in Tokyo internationally well-known recording artists from Pakistan performed popular songs, Sufi music and instrumental fusion. They included singer-songwriters Zeb, Arieb Azhar, Pakistan’s premier flautist Ahsan Pappu, leading guitarist Zeeshan, Zain and Hassan from the family of Pakistan’s cultural personalities Zia Mohyuddin–Naheed Siddiqi. Other art forms presented included the Kathak Classical dance and the students of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) performed Urdu drama ‘Angan Terha’ followed by the famous song “Dil Dil Pakistan”.
Japanese sports icon Mr. Antonio Inoki alongwith IGF wrestlers enthralled a huge crowd. Emphasizing the importance of sports, the Festival highlighted two young Pakistani sports-youth – Shah Hussain, a 20-year old Judo Champion from Pakistan and Abid Haroon, an under-training 15-year old from the Jhara Phalwan family.
The sound of ‘Jeevey Jeevey Pakistan’ rang out across the sprawling Ueno Park at the closing ceremony. Following the National Anthems of Pakistan and Japan there were prayers for the peace, prosperity and further strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries.
