MUSSE

An Indonesian dancer performs at the Asia Institute.

The University of Melbourne has launched its first-ever Asia Week, which offers an exciting program of Asia-themed concerts, workshops, seminars and lectures involving artists and dignitaries from around the world.

The four-day event – hosted by the University’s Asia Institute – runs from Monday 20 October to Thursday 23 October.

The diversity of intellectual, artistic, and cultural activities of the Asia Institute and its partnering institutions will be showcased in 19 events, including discussion, presentations, workshops, musical performances, literature, film and dance.

Artists, scholars, journalists and dignitaries presenting, appearing or performing during Asia Week include: The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So; Susumu Hasegawa, Consul General of Japan; Stanley Prasetyo, Commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights; Najwa Shihab, journalist/TV presenter; Wakako Asano, choreographer and dancer with the Australian Ballet; Mayu Kanamori, artist; Maria Tran, film producer; and Ben Hills, Walkley Award–winning freelance journalist and author.

Asia Week focuses primarily on the languages and cultures of China, Japan, Indonesia and the Islamic world and seeks to acknowledge and celebrate Melbourne’s diversity of culture.

Director of the Asia Institute, Abdullah Saeed, said: “This is an opportunity to highlight the breadth and depth, research and culture that is represented by the Asia Institute.

“The strategic importance of Asia to Australia and to the world has never been more strongly emphasised, with Asia now home to more than one half of the world’s population.

“Students with Asia-knowledge equip themselves as effective global citizens, with a better understanding of the fundamental changes taking place in our dynamic region of the world.

“We hope to attract a broad audience to Asia Week and encourage University staff and students, other universities and institutions as well as the general public to have a look at our calendar of upcoming events,” Professor Saeed said.

For information visit: www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au/events/asiaweek.html