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Amateras Foundation has
been awarded а Certificate
of Merit by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Japan

On December 4, an official ceremony was held at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan in Bulgaria to award the Amateras Foundation with a Certificate of Merit for outstanding contribution to the promotion of Japanese culture in Bulgaria.

Since its establishment in 2010, the Amateras Foundation has collaborated with institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, galleries and contemporary Japanese artists. Events held by the foundation have been annually included in the Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria under the patronage of the Embassy of Japan.


The Foundation is privileged to be the annual host and organizer of the Japan Bowl competition (a quiz competition on Japanese language and culture for high school students studying Japanese), which has been taking place since 2019. During the event itself, in the intervals between the different parts of the competition, the Foundation enables participants to experience Japanese culture through activities such as calligraphy, kiri-e, Japanese cuisine preparation, martial arts demonstrations, and other country-specific manifestations of its spirit.

The solo exhibitions of Japanese artists in Bulgaria and other countries have contributed to the awareness of contemporary Japanese art.

Amateras Foundation gratefully accepts the privilege of being honoured with a Certificate of Merit as recognition of its active efforts.

The ceremony was attended by 15 people, including founders of the foundation – Todor Todorov and Daniela Todorova, the chairman of the “Friends of Japan in Bulgaria – Nihon Tomono Kai Club” Association – Prof. Dr. Boyan Zhekov, relatives and friends.


In his speech, Takayuki Shinozawa, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria, praised the achievements of Amateras Foundation and thanked Daniela and Todor for the successful organization of this year’s program including a total of five exhibitions within the 35th Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria and wished them successful activities in future.

published on 05.12.2024