150 years Switzerland and Japan

15 September 2014. Switzerland and Japan concluded a friendship and trade agreement and entered into diplomatic relations as early as 1864. Yet how did it come about that Switzerland was the first land-locked country to establish contact with Japan? What part did Switzerland play in the peace negotiations of 1945? What images of the other country predominate in either of these countries? These and other questions will be answered in the seven-part lecture series on "150 years of Swiss-Japanese relations".

The lectures will be given by PD Dr. Patrick Ziltener, Habilitated Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Zurich. On two evenings, guest speakers will be invited: on 6 October, Philippe Dallais from the University of Zurich will present "Imagine Japan – the Aimé Humbert Project". On 27 October, PD Dr. Simone Müller, who works at the Asia-Orient Institute of the University of Zurich, will elucidate "Swiss-Japanese relations as reflected in literature".

The lecture series also includes visits to two Japan exhibitions in St.Gallen. On 29 September, the audience will be given a guided tour through the "Cherry Blossom & Edelweiss. The Import of Exotica" exhibition in the St.Gallen Textile Museum. On 20 October, they will visit the "Art Brut – Japan – Switzerland" exhibition in the Museum im Lagerhaus.

The lectures will take place in the St.Gallen Textile Museum, Vadianstrasse 2. They will start on Mondays at 6.15 p.m. Dates: 22 September, 29 September, 6 October, 13 October, 20 October, 27 October and 3 November 2014.

Bild: Photocase / 106313