Demonstration^ of two traditional practices of age old Japanese culture Ikebani (flower arrangement) and tea ceremony (ceremonial offerlng of tea to the guests), charmed the spectators yesterday evening at a city hotel, reports BSS.

Expressing her reaction. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Prof Jahanara Begum who attended the function as the chief guest, said "it seems that flowers got Ilves with the touch of Ikebana experts'. She also took keen Interest in the

tea ceremony and hoped that cordial relations between Japan and Bangladesh would be strengthen further with the arrangement of such functions.

Embassy of Japan and Asia Bunka Kalkan (ABDK). an or ganisatlon of Bangladeshi nationals who had lived in Japan Jointly arranged the function.

Speaking on the occasion Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Takenaka quoted from .Rabindranath Tagore and said that the culture of one country Is not the culture of that coun

try alone. It rather enriches itself in touch with other cultures.

He appreciated the efforts In different levels in Bangladesh In promoting-the cultural ties between his country and Bangladesh and hoped that such efforts of cultural exchange would strengthen the relationship between the two couiMrles. ,