Atlanta-Japan: A Cultural Exchange Experience
5/16/2009 – The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation unveils groundbreaking exhibit,Atlanta-Japan: A Cultural Exchange Experience, in the US.
DISCOVER JAPAN at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA onSaturday, May 16 at 1pm EST. The exhibit, titled Atlanta-Japan: A Cultural Exchange Experience, features all things Japan including a creative display of calligraphy, origami, embroidery, fine art, photographs of Japan, a Japanese garden and so much more! At the unveiling, there will be Japanese speaker/performance presentations, Japanese businesses, food, and music.
The exhibit is the result of an Intercultural Cultural Exchange Program conducted by the Tupac Amaru ShakurFoundation with the support of a grant from the Nissan Foundation. The program was designed to engage, enlighten, and educate youth through exposure, experience, and exchange. The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF), founded as a 501( c ) organization in 1997 by Afeni Shakur, mother of multi-talented and world renowned Tupac Shakur, encourages freedom of expression, serves as a resource for families, andempowers via education.
The exchange program encourages pen pals and exchange of culture and ideals between TASF’s students and students from Ogaki Kita High School’s English Club in Gifu, Japan. Ogaki Kita High School holds a long history of tradition that traces back to its origin over 100 years ago. The school is grounded in a strong motto of Sincerity (Seijitsu), Friendship (Yuai), and Effort (Doryoku). JALT (Japanese Association of Language Teachers) and the Gifu Board of Education were instrumental in building the bridge between TASF & Ogaki Kita High School. The Gifu Board of Education recognizes the project as a great opportunity for intercultural sharing. Students get to travel to each other’s country without waiting in an airport security line or flying on a 14 hour flight!
“In our continued effort to catch up with the global impact of Tupac Shakur, we are humbled by the opportunity to share with the country of Japan,” says board member Tre’ Maxie. “The influence of hip hop culture and urban music in Asia has grown rapidly. Artists like Tupac Shakur helped pave the way for an underground culture to a place in the forefront of mainstream popular culture.”
Over the years, the US and Japan have been able to develop a close bilateral relationship through exchanges & partnerships. The Nissan Foundation believes in building community through valuing cultural diversity. Beyond the exhibit, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and their students hope to build and promote intercultural friendship and have a lasting relationship with students in Japan.
Exhibit Opening: Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts & Peace Garden, Saturday, May 16 at 1pm Affiliates: Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, Konnichiwa Club (Atlanta, GA), Atlanta Bonsai Society, Japanese Exchange Teachers Alumni Association (JETAA), Japanese Embroidery Center, Business Linguistics
Phone: (404) 298-4222
Fax: (404) 298-4223
