The Japanese Language and Culture Center “Seito San” in Klaipėda is beginning its third season of activity. This year, the center will open the season by presenting a unique Japanese art exhibition and inviting visitors to explore its new premises in the heart of the city.
The Center Will Operate in an Art Gallery
The Japanese Language and Culture Center “Seito San” will begin its third season in new premises located in the center of Klaipėda (Danės St. 9), where the professional art gallery “Lyceum” is also based.
According to the head of the Japanese Language and Culture Center, Sigitas Benediktas Jurčys, since the new premises are closely intertwined with art, this year the decision was made to launch the season by inviting Klaipėda residents and city guests to a unique exhibition of Japanese ukiyo-e art:
“This year, we settled into new premises filled with art, and we decided that it would be meaningful to open this season by introducing the students of Klaipėda Lyceum and the city’s residents to the exceptional Japanese ukiyo-e art. The ‘Seito San’ center has always been not only about learning the language but also about getting to know Japanese culture more deeply. We are glad that now we will have even broader opportunities to professionally present Japanese culture together with the Lyceum gallery,” said S. B. Jurčys.
Exhibition Showcases Historical Treasures
On October 2 at 5:30 p.m., Klaipėda residents and guests are invited to the spaces of the “Seito San” Center and the “Lyceum” gallery to view a unique exhibition of Japanese ukiyo-e art.
The exhibition consists of works from the private collection of Edys Jurčys. Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings that flourished from the 17th to 19th centuries. Literally, the term translates as “pictures of the floating world.” During Japan’s Edo period, the phrase was used to describe a hedonistic lifestyle, and the first ukiyo-e works became especially popular among merchants and craftsmen.
Exhibition visitors will have the opportunity to see original prints by ukiyo-e masters, dating from the 18th century to the early 20th century.
New Opportunities for Japanese Language Learners
This year, the “Seito San” center is once again opening new groups for Japanese language lessons for both adults and children. Starting in October, classes will be held for adults and for children (from 11 years old). Each group will have a total of 8 hours of lessons per month. Japanese language classes will be taught by Taiki Matsudaira, a teacher from Japan, and Iveta Strakšaitė, a graduate of Japanese Studies at Vilnius University.
According to the head of the center, Sigitas Benediktas Jurčys, new opportunities are opening up this year for Japanese language learners in Lithuania:
“Starting this September, it will be possible to take the official Japanese language proficiency exam at Vilnius University. Passing this exam will open up broader opportunities to work in international Japanese business companies and other organizations. Therefore, we strongly encourage everyone to learn Japanese—not only to expand your cultural understanding or language knowledge but also to give yourself the chance to discover new career opportunities,” said S. B. Jurčys.
The “Seito San” center will also continue to nurture the traditions of Japanese kabuki theater. Last spring, for the first time in Western Lithuania, director Taurūnas Baužas presented a kabuki theater performance “Faces of Theater,” an artistic concept that was born in the “Seito San” center. The performance attracted not only great public interest but also the attention of various renowned art festivals.
The opening celebration of the “Seito San” Center’s new season and the presentation of the ukiyo-e exhibition will take place on October 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the “Lyceum” gallery (Danės St. 9, Klaipėda).
