EU Lecture Series “Poland and Japan” by Mr. Tyszkiewicz, Charge d'Affaires ad interim, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokyo (15 Oct)

On 15 October 2019, Mr. Tyszkiewicz, Charge d'Affaires ad interim, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokyo, gave a special lecture titled “Poland and Japan” as the 11th of the EU Lecture Series.

The lecture was coorganised by Hyogo Foundation Prefecture International Exchange Association and Hyogo EU Association to commemorate the 100th year of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Poland, and it was open to the general public. Kobe University students attended as part of the class on “International Relations” taught by Professor Kazunari Sakai (Graduate School of Intercultural Studies) in the 4th period. In total, there were approximately 230 participants.

Mr. Tyszkiewicz started the lecture in fluent Japanese with stories of Polish geniuses such as Chopin and Madame Curie, well-known among the Japanese people, as well as the Pole who came to Japan for the first time. Then the talk shifted to the history, culture, politics and economy in an easy way to understand. He also expressed his opinions on the role and the future vision of Poland as a member state of the EU and introduced the country as an attractive investment destination for Japan. Finally, he asserted his views on the diplomatic relations between Poland and Japan and the future prospect.

After his lecture, there was a lively exchange of questions and answers on Polish artists, the national characteristics, the future relationship of the two countries, and so on. After the session, some of both the general public and the students, who have strong interests in Poland, gathered at the front of the lecture stand and continued to talk with the Polish diplomat. This showed the participants’ deep interest towards the country.