KARACHI, July 22: To mark the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Japan, the Japan Cultural Centre held a recitation of Japanese modern poetry, ‘Chieko’s Sky by Kataro Takamura’, in Urdu at Karachi Gymkhana.

Iftikhar Arif, chairman, Pakistan Academy of Letters, was the chief guest at this literary evening.

Consul General of Japan Kanji Hanagata was among the large number of literature lovers who attended the event.

Mr Hanagata, welcoming the guests, said: “To maintain deep cordial relations between the two nations at heart-to-heart level, it becomes absolutely necessary that the people of those countries develop a better understanding of each other’s culture and traditions.”

Iftikhar Arif admired the Japan Cultural Centre’s efforts and this new dimensional literary endeavour to bring the two peoples closer, especially under the present difficult situation.

Well-known artists Izhar Qazi and Saniya Saeed recited the Urdu translation of some verses from Chieko’s Sky quite expressively. The verses were beautifully translated by Mohammad Naseer. The superb tune of Sitar by Javed Allahditta added the fragrance to the recitation.—APP