The joint Greek-Japanese Symposium on Classical Studies took place with great success at the Sendai War Reconstruction Memorial Hall, with the cooperation of the Classical Society of Japan and the Embassy of Greece in Tokyo. A large audience attended the Symposium, comprised by members of the Classical Society of Japan, representatives of the municipality of the city of Sendai as well as local people.

Amongst the main speakers were Professor Emeritus Th.  Kakridis of the University of Ioannina, Greece, whose lecture was entitled “Interpreting the Greek Theatrical Edifice” and Professor Emeritus N. Hourmouziadis of the University of Thessaloniki, Greece, who spoke on “Aristophanes’ Journey on the Modern Greek Stage and a Personal Experiment”.  The Greek academics were invited by the Greek Embassy in Tokyo to participate at the above mentioned Symposium. Both Professors Kakridis and Hourmouziadis have a lifetime record of scholar work, studies, teaching and writings on ancient Greek literature, as well as staging of ancient drama and comedy.

From the Japanese side, Mr. M. Ciesko, who is currently a research student at the Kyoto University, gave a speech on “Tarashi, suppa, and panourgoi in two comic genres (Mischievous man in Greek Comedy and swindler in Kyogen)”.  Following the lectures, there were Q and A session, during which the participating audience had the opportunity to have an interesting discussion with the panel of Professors on the Greek and Japanese theatrical traditions.  A Kyogen theatrical performance, by the well-known Japanese performer Mr. Chuzaburo Shigeyama, closed the successful Symposium.

Both the President of the Classical Society of Japan, Prof. K. Uchiyama and the Secretary, Prof. T. Nakatsukasa, at their welcoming addresses, underlined the significance of the participation for the first time of the two academics from Greece, which offered the opportunity to exchange views and elaborate on themes regarding ancient Greek and traditional Japanese theatre, with emphasis on comedy.  Furthermore, the Greek Ambassador Mr. K. Rodoussakis, in his address referred to the support provided by the Greek Ministry of Culture to the successful holding of the Symposium.  He underlined also the significance and importance of further exchange of scholars and studies between Greek academics and the more than 350 members of the Classical Society of Japan. He also praised the ongoing very successful translations and editions of works of Greek literature in Japan All speakers expressed the wish to hold similar events in the future.

It should be noted that the above mentioned Symposium took place on the eve of the annual meeting of the Classical Society of Japan (4.6.05). An excellent opportunity was, thus, given to the participants to exchange views on an academic and scientific level with the Greek acknowledged Professors, for the first time, on the occasion of similar academic meetings in Japan. 

It should be noticed that, on the 6^th of June, the Greek Professors were invited to give a lecture at Keio University, addressed to the students of the Greek studies course, headed by Prof. Nishimura, Vice President of Keio University.