2010 Matsue - Lafcadio Hearn Essay Contest: Feel the Real Japan

06 November 2010
2010 Matsue - Lafcadio Hearn Essay Contest: Feel the Real Japan
Deadline: 25 December 2010

About the Contest

Matsue, along with Kyoto and Nara is one of Japan's International Cultural and Sightseeing City. Lafcadio Hearn, who spent his formative years in Ireland, came to stay in Matsue for 1 year and 3 months from 1890. The traditional culture and customs left a strong impression on him during his everyday life in Matsue. He introduced these to people through out the world with many books such as 'The Glimpses of an unfamiliar Japan'. Similar to Matsue is continuing to exchange through the connection of Lafcadio Hearn, with this essay contest we hope to increase knowledge of Lafcadio Hearn and Matsue among Irish people.

Entry Deadline

December 25, 2010

Contest Rules

Applicants must reside in Ireland however all nationalities are welcome.

(Applicants cannot be Japanese)Essay must be no fewer than 600 and no more than 1,200 words in Japanese / (no fewer than 300 and no more than 600 words in English), and must be typewritten horizontally on A4 sized paper. One entry per person, please. Once you include the title of your essay, entry category (A to C), your name, postal code, address, phone no.,Email, age and sex, please send you application by mail, E-mail or Fax.

(The essays will not be returned.The essays copyright will belong to Matsue City and not the applicants.)

Application Form

Download word

The First Prize:

Two people will be invited to Matsue in March of 2011, ※one selected from Category A, the other one from Category B&C. The prize includes seven days stay in Japan. However the succesful candidates must attend the award ceremony held during the St. Patricks day parade in Matsue, 2011.

The Second Prize:

Commemorative Gift (selected one or two from each category)Their essays will be printed in the Matsue newspaper and also uploaded on to Matsue city's homepages.

Screening standard

The judges will be focusing on how well you describe Hearn's life and works. Also how these may reflect similarities in your own life.

Result announcement

A selected number of applicants will be posted on the website at the end of February, 2011

Judges

Mayor of Matsue,Mr.Masataka Matsuura / Japan International Cooperation Center / Yakumo Association, and so on.

Sponsor

Matsue City, in Cooperation with Embassy of Ireland in Japan / Embassy of Japan in Ireland / Dublin City University / Japan International Cooperate Center.

Address for essay submission

690-8540 86 Suetsugu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane, pref., JAPAN
Matsue City Hall, International Exchange Division.
TEL +81-852-55-5175 FAX +81-852-55-5550
E-mail kokusai@city.matsue.lg.jp

More information here.
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