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Introduction
Mr Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, is
a haiku poet who has published his own haiku poetry book. To
honor his visit to Japan to attend a Japan-EU Summit meeting
in April, 2010, an English Haiku Contest was inaugurated.
More than 523 haikuists participated in the competition,
putting pen to paper to compose haiku about Japan and
Europe.
Leaders of Japan and the EU will meet again this year on the
occasion of the Twentieth Annual Summit Meeting in Brussels.
Participants will exchange views on how to further
strengthen friendships and bilateral relations. As we
approach the opening of this year’s Japan-EU Summit,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the European Union
are pleased to host the Second Japan-EU English Haiku
Contest and call on contestants to share their haiku related
to the theme of “Kizuna (the bonds of friendship)”.
Of particular note, in response to the Great East Japan
Earthquake, the EU has provided relief supplies of, for
example, blankets, foods and clothes. Additionally to relief
supplies, the EU decided to donate 10 million euros. Japan
expresses its heartfelt appreciation for this generous
support from the friend.
The organizers hope that this contest will deepen the bonds
of friendship – Kizuna – between Japan and the EU as
well as convey the enjoyment of writing and reading English
haiku.
The organizers have set up a Fan Page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/haikucontest).
Selected haiku will be uploaded to the Facebook Fan Page by
the organizers. Those registered on Facebook can communicate
with applicants from Japan and the EU. The organizers hope
that this contest will serve as an opportunity to encourage
mutual understanding among people and promote the
interaction of people’s views on Japan and the EU.
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Organizers:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the European Union
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Sponsors:
Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan (Known as the center
of modern haiku in Japan), Flemish
Haiku Center (Belgium)
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Theme:
Kizuna (the bonds of friendship)
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Regulations:
Original, previously unpublished haiku referring to some
aspect of the bonds of friendship should be submitted in the
English language. Season words are not essential. Keeping in
mind that haiku is considered to be the shortest poem in the
world, submitting haiku on three lines is recommended
(however, up to four lines or fewer than three are
acceptable).
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Limited number of entries:
Only one haiku may be submitted per haikuist.
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Eligibility:
The contest is open to the public of nationals of EU member
states or Japan who are currently residing in the EU or
Japan.
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Submission:
Please download the
entry form
(Word file) and submit it by email to: japaneuhaiku-contest@mofa.go.jp
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Deadline:
23 May 2011 (7:00 AM, Brussels time)
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Judges:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
The European Union
David McMurray, International Haikuist
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FACEBOOK Fan Page
www.facebook.com/haikucontest
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Awards:
Two contest winners (one winner from Japan, and one from the
EU) will be announced on the occasion of a Joint Press
Conference of the 20th Japan-EU Summit meeting to
be held in Brussels. The winner from the EU will be offered
a round-trip to Matsuyama City, Japan and a stay in a
Japanese style hot spring hotel (in Dogo Onsen) associated
with haiku. Matsuyama City is considered to be the centre of
modern Haiku in Japan. The winner from Japan will be offered
a round-trip to Belgium, the home country of EU President
Herman Van Rompuy*.
*The contest winners will be notified by email from the
organizer and be given further details of the round-trip
prize. Please note that the winner may have to cover some of
the travelling costs.
