By 
H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York, conferred the Commendation of the Foreign Ministry of Japan upon the Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation for the Arts recently. The Presentation was made at the residence of Ambassador Bessho and his wife.
Special guests invited to attend this ceremony from the United Nations included Under Secretary-General for Communications and Special Events, Cristina Gallach. Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division, Ahmad Alhendawi, the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, and members of the UN media.
The Certificate of Commendation to the Tarumi Violin Foundation signed by Furnio Kishida, Minister of Foreign Affair Japan. stated the following:
“Your group has contributed to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and other countries and thereby forging friendship and goodwill between our country and various countries. Your achievement is so prominent that I hereby pay deep respect to and commend your great work.”
In his remarks at the ceremony for conferment of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Tarumi Violin Children Foundation for the Arts, Ambassador Koro Bessho stated: “It is my pleasure to confer the Commendation of the Foreign Minister of Japan upon the Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation for the Arts. This decoration is in recognition of the Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation’s contributions to world peace and the ideals of the United Nations through music “
Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho went on to say:
” Ms. Yukako Tarumi founded the Tarumi Violin Program in 1986. Many of you gathered here tonight have undoubtedly seen and heard the Tarumi Violinists perform every year at the Peace Bell Ceremony to mark the International Day of Peace in September.”
At the same time,” the Ambassador added: “across the past three decades, this talented and diverse group of young violinists has also traveled throughout the world and has performed countless times. In addition to a long list of performances across South America, Europe, and Asia, the Tarumi Violinists have made numerous trips to Japan, where they have performed for various occasions such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.”
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Koro Bessho stated:
“Music is a powerful universal language. Music evokes strong emotions. Music brings people together even amidst great disagreements. Through each of its performances, the Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation For The Arts strives to convey these messages of unity and acceptance to make the world a better place to live.”
“For its work in spreading these positive messages internationally, the Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation for the Arts” he stated, “has been recognized and awarded numerous times with some different review awards as the seal of excellence or others. Tonight, I am honored to add the Commendation of the Foreign Minister of Japan to that list. Congratulations to Ms. Tarumi and to the Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation for the Arts.”
Upon accepting the Certificate of Commendation, Yukako Tarumi made the following statement:
“It is a great honor to be here tonight. We all live in a difficult time, but we, as Tarumi Violinists, believe in love, peace, and caring about others. And that is why I believe in combining thought with positive action.”
Yukako Tarumi then went on to say that “My students and I have played at many concerts, including nursing homes, hospitals, and for people going through disaster relief, and that has taught us that music can be used as a unifying force.”
In her closing remarks, Yukako Tarumi said:
“Thank you for allowing us to share our desire for love and peace through music and action, and thank you very much for inviting us tonight.”
Photo: Shown here is H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York, together with his wife, UN Under-Secretary General for Communications and Special Events, Cristina Gallach, and Yukako Tarumi, Director, The Tarumi Violin Children’s Foundation For The Arts.
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