Press Releases
Visit to Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture by Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council
1. On Monday, November 18, H.E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, who is known as an active Haikuist, will visit Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, where the reputed father of modern haiku, Masaoka Shiki, was born, ahead of the Japan-EU Summit on November 19.
2. Japan and the EU have hosted the Japan-EU English Haiku Contest since 2010, after Mr. Van Rompuy assumed the office of President of the European Council in December 2009, to promote people to people and cultural exchanges. The European winner of the fourth contest this year, Mr. Giorgos Paximadis, has been invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to Matsuyama. President Van Rompuy will attend a welcome ceremony organized by Matsuyama City along with Mr. Paximadis.
