New York: JAPAN SOCIETY TEACHES LANGUAGE LESSONS AT NYAF

Fri Aug 15 15:48:07 UTC 2008

JAPAN SOCIETY TEACHES LANGUAGE LESSONS AT NYAF
Thursday, 14 August 2008Japan Society and the New York Anime Festival Launch an On-going Partnership
Norwalk, CT, August 14, 2008:  The New York Anime Festival, an anime,manga, and Japanese pop culture convention from the creators of NewYork Comic Con, today announced a year-round partnership with JapanSociety, a non-profit institution dedicated to fosteringcross-cultural exchange between the peoples of America and Japan.Japan Society's first act in this partnership will be an appearance atthe 2008 New York Anime Festival, taking place September 26th throughthe 28th at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.  At NYAF, JapanSociety will present a session on the history of the institution andpreview KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games, ananime-centric exhibit it will host from March 13 through June 14, 2009and conduct five introductory Japanese language lessons open to allNew York Anime Festival attendees from 1:15 to 4 PM on Sunday,September 28 in NYAF's Workshop Room.

Japan Society's language lessons will be taught by a top instructorfrom its Toyota Language Center.  Begun in 1972 with a single class,Japan Society's language education program has grown into one of themost respected in the nation.  Today, the Toyota Language Centeroffers 12 comprehensive levels of Japanese, as well as a variety ofspecialized courses and workshops including shodō (Japanesecalligraphy) and a Japanese Language Teacher Training Program.

"We are deeply honored to partner with an organization as well-knownand respected as Japan Society," NYAF Show Manager Lance Fenstermansaid.  "Japan Society is the first name in the world of Japaneselanguage instruction and cultural education, and we couldn't image abetter partner to bring the rich language and past of Japan to the NewYork Anime Festival."

Attendees serious about learning Japanese are encouraged to sign-upfor full courses at Japan Society's Toyota Language Center followingthe introductory program offered at the New York Anime Festival.  Moreinformation about Japan Society as well as membership details areavailable at japansociety.org.  Tickets to NYAF are on sale now atnewyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT JAPAN SOCIETY:
Japan Society is the premier producer of high-quality content on Japanfor the United States, offering over one hundred events annually inthe performing and visual arts, business and policy sector, andeducation fields, as well as publications and online forums. Over thecourse of more than a century, Japan Society has evolved into aninternationally recognized non-profit, non-political organization thatprovides access to information on Japan, offers opportunities toexperience Japanese culture, and fosters sustained and open dialogueon issues important to the US, Japan, and East Asia.

Japan Society was founded on May 19, 1907 by a group of prominent NewYork business people and philanthropists, many of whom shaped thepolicies of exchange and collaboration that guided it through the1930s until the outbreak of World War II. After the war, activitiesslowly resumed, and the stewardship of John D. Rockefeller 3rd from1952-78 led to a unified vision and a firm financial foundation with arevitalized mission "to bring the people of the United States andJapan closer together in appreciation and understanding of each other"(Rockefeller, 1952).

Built on land donated by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Japan Society'slandmark building was designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura and openedin 1971 as the first building by a leading Japanese architect in NewYork City. Located near the United Nations at 333 East 47th betweenFirst and Second avenues, activities at Japan Society are set againsta stunning backdrop of indoor gardens, a reflecting pool and awaterfall. Furnished with a superb collection of tables, chairs andbenches designed by master woodworker George Nakashima, the facilitiesinclude a 262-seat theater, art gallery, language center, library,conference facilities and over three floors of administrative space.
http://www.activeanime.com/html/content/view/3717/36/

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