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On July 19, the Min-On Concert Association, in conjunction with the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica in Japan, held a special “lecture concert”honoring Costa Rica and its rich musical culture. Ambassadors and envoys from the diplomatic missions of nine countries attended the event, together with some 200 members of the general public.

The event opened with remarks were given by His Excellency Alexander Salas Araya, Costa Rican Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Noting that his country and Japan will celebrate the 90th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in 2025, Ambassador Salas Araya said he looked forward to further cementing bilateral ties through cultural exchange initiatives as those organized by Min-On.

The concert segment featured the Hashi Duo, with Costa Rica-born guitarist Adrián Montero and Japanese pianist Moé Takamatsu. “Hashi” in Japanese means “bridge,” signifying the bonds of friendship bridging their two countries. Among the six songs they played, both alone or as a duet, ranged from “Sakura Variations” and “Costa Rican Inventions” to “Hashi: A Quest of Sound,” a piece symbolizing their aspirations for peace worldwide. The duet then performed “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” a film score written by famed Japanese artist Ryuichi Sakamoto, for an encore.

The two also shared insights into the music, culture and national characters of their respective countries interspersed between their singing and playing. The event will be uploaded on Min-On’s Japanese YouTube channel for viewing.

Prior to the program, Ambassador Salas Araya, guitarist Montero and pianist Moé Takamatsu were welcomed by Min-On President Koji Yamamoto, who then guided the guests on a tour of Min-On Music Museum’s collection of classic pianos and music boxes.

This series of special events was made possible by the subscribers of the Min-On Concert Association and other contributors who support our various outreach initiatives.

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