Japan’s 2011 Disaster Commemorated in Dubai

Commemorations were held in Dubai on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami disasters that struck Japan on 11 March 2011.

At GEMS Al Barsha National School, journalist Najib El Khash read out the Japanese children’s Book “My Uncle Sunflower” to the students. The book, translated into Arabic by the journalist, narrates the story of a child who had to evacuate his home in Fukushima Prefecture after the disaster, and his efforts to return to his town.

The students also held an online video conference with a volunteer center in Fukushima and participated in observing a moment of silence commemorating of the disaster’s victims.

Another event was held at the Japan Pavilion of the Expo 2020 Dubai, where copies of the same children’s book were distributed to Arabic-speaking children who visited the pavilion.