Sunday, 18 December 2016, 14:00‐15:30

CHRISTMAS IN THE EU"Christmas in the EU", co‐organized by the Fukuoka EU Association and EU Centre, was held on Sunday, 18 December
2016 at Kokusaihiroba, ACROS Fukuoka. At the event, international students from EU member countries introduced how
the Christmas season is celebrated in their home countries. Approximately 50 participants gathered. The participants
listened with great interest to the presentations about festivities and customs peculiar to each country.
Ms Kelly Knapen from Belgium (CSPA Programme, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University) explained that theChristmas season in Belgium starts from 6 December, Saint Nicholas Day, which is the same as in many other Europeancountries, and children in Belgium can get presents from Saint Nicholas on that day. There is a Christmas market taking
place in various regions in Belgium, which is said to have originated in Germany.
Mr Friedrich Baumgaertel from Germany (LL.M. Programme, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University) introduced thespecial term to prepare for the Christmas season, between 1 to 24 December, called “Advent”. During Advent, you canenjoy Christmas markets lined up side by side in peaceful harmony in the centre of the city, and visitors can enjoy spiced
mulled wine (“Glühwein” in German). Christmas season is also a special season, of course, for children. “Adventcalendars” which have many windows and doors, each with a number between 1 and 24, are very popular. Behind eachone, often a piece of chocolate can be found. Children excitedly await the approach of Christmas by opening the small
doors or windows day by day leading up to Christmas Day
After the presentations, everyone enjoyed time for conversation with delicious tea and cake in a festive atmosphere. Allthe participants enjoyed special Christmas cookies handmade by Friedrich’s mother and sent from Germany.

Ms Kelly Knapen from Belgium

Two presenters and an interpreter
from Fukuoka EU Association

Mr Friedrich Baumgaertel from Germany

Christmas cookies from Germany

Gathering after the event

Extra ReportThanks to an unexpected offer by Mr Ikki Toyama (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University ofSingapore), who participated in the event, a student exchange between Kyushu University and National University ofSingapore became a reality during the Japan Tour of National University of Singapore in February. The student exchange
happened successfully with flexible understanding and support from teachers in the Faculty of Law and Economics,Kyushu University. As an industrial tour course in Fukuoka, approximately 20 students from the CSPA and LL.M. courses,including EU‐DPs students and two teachers (Prof. Jiro Hasumi, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University, and Assoc. Prof. Ms
Chu Meifen, Faculty of Economics, Kyushu University) took part in the two‐day tour to visit Yawata Steel Works andToyota Kyushu Factory, as well as a Fukuoka City Hall meeting with the mayor of Fukuoka. In the exchange gathering
held at night on the first day of the tour, Kyushu University international students from various countries (China, Korea,Peru, Mexico, Thailand, Belgium, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Mongolia, and Afghanistan) had an exchange of views andexpanded the wave of exchange. It became a precious opportunity for networking for all students participating fromboth universities.

Visit to Yawata Steel Works

Visit to Toyota Kyushu Factory

Visit to Fukuoka City Hall
Gathering photo with Mayor Takashima (seated centre)

Exchange gathering in Fukuoka City

Event Details1. Date and Time: Sunday, 18 December 2016, 14:00‐15:30
2. Venue: Kokusaihiroba, ACROS Fukuoka (1‐1‐1, Tenjin, Chuo‐ku, Fukuoka)

3. Admission: free (Participants 60)
4. Registration:
Please fill in the required information on the back and apply through either TEL, FAX, or Email.
5. Speakers＜Belgium＞Ms Kelly Knapen, CSPA Programme, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University＜Germany＞Mr Friedrich Baumgaertel, LL.M. Programme, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University