Osaka Concert Celebrates 50 Years of Vietnam-Japan Relations

On April 6, a special concert was held in Sakai city in the Japanese prefecture of Osaka to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Administrator

16 April, 2023

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The event was a collaborative effort between the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra and the Osaka Symphony Orchestra, bringing together some of the best musical talent from both sides. Notable participants included conductor Honna Tetsuji, who has been with Vietnam for years, and the renowned violinist Bui Cong Duy. The programme was a unique cultural experience, filled with music and artistry that showcased the best of both worlds.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Pham Quang Hieu, highlighted the significance of the concert which he said, together with other cultural activities to be held in the coming weeks, would help promote cultural exchanges and close bonds between the two countries.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takei Shunsuke, warmly congratulated the success of the concert, the first cultural event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Vietnam. He remarked that bilateral relations between the two countries are at an all-time high.

He declared that 2023 is a momentous occasion for both sides to reflect on the accomplishments of the past 50 years of their relationship and to strive for even better ties in the next 50 years.

The majestic Ballroom of Fenice Sakai Performing Arts Centre was filled to capacity with over 2,000 enthusiastic spectators, eager to experience the timeless masterpieces of Beethoven, including Symphony No. 5 and his Violin Concerto, among others. The crowd was enraptured by the beauty of the beloved composer’s works.

Conducting maestro Honna Tetsuji has stated that Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Violin Concerto are his favorite pieces of music that he has performed countless times throughout his illustrious career. On his recent visit to Osaka, he expressed a strong desire to perform these two pieces once more, this time alongside Meritorious Artist Bui Cong Duy.