Celebration of the National Day of the Czech Republic in Japan

To celebrate the National Day of the Czech Republic commemorating the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Japan Mr. Martin Klučar and his wife organized a festive reception in the representative premises of the Embassy in Tokyo.

After the playing of the Czech and Japanese national anthems, Ambassador Martin Klučar gave a ceremonial greeting and an opening speech. Mr. Katsuro Kitagawa, Director-General of European Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, continued with a speech. The toast was delivered by the vice-rector of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Mr. Taku Shinohara, whose university and department of Czech studies, this year received the prestigious Gratias agit award from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, which is awarded to prominent personalities and organizations that have contributed to spreading the good name of the Czech Republic in abroad.

The guests were delighted by the exceptional performance of the Czech and Japanese national anthems, when the singer Mr. Noritaro Dei was instrumentally accompanied this year by Mr. Matěj Číp on the cimbalom, an instrument known mainly in folk music in Central and Eastern Europe. The mascot of Czechia, lion "Lefumaru", also contributed to the good mood of the guests as every year. Traditionally, Czech cuisine and Czech beer were not missing at the festive table.

The Embassy thanks everyone who accepted the invitation and came, and also to those who sent congratulatory letters and gifts.

Thanks also go to our sponsors of the reception, whose contribution we greatly appreciate, thank you.