(3) THE JAPAN TIMES MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 5 world Ancient Saxon village reborn in Romania

Gypsies work to forge a new future based The Gabor brothers, Matei, 32, and Istvan, 28, also took up on cultural tourism, sustainable agriculture their grandfather’s craft. ‘‘He was a very skilled blacksmith who was called by Viscri Romania outside the village in wooden the Saxons to work in Viscri. AFP-JIJI houses moved in.’’ We learned a lot from him,’’ ------The Saxons had settled in Istvan said. It could have been the end of Transylvania, the center of to- He and his brother make the centuries-old village of day’s Romania, in the 12th traditional locks, intricate Viscri in the hills of Transyl- century at the request of a lo- hinges, horseshoes and even vania when almost all its in- cal king. chandeliers. habitants, Saxons of German In January 1990, there were ‘‘We here, we are proud to origin, left in 1989 at the col- 300 living in Viscri. In Decem- know that our ironworks are lapse of communism. After ber of the same year, there used in the fortified Saxon all, how could such a small vil- were only 68. church of Viscri,’’ Istvan said. lage survive in the poor and re- Today the population is He and his brother are mote Romanian countryside? back up to 420, a large number among the very few inhabit- But Romanians — Roma of whom are Roma, although ants of Viscri who call them- Gypsies as well as non-Roma many prefer not to be referred selves Roma. ‘‘I am first and — have breathed new life into to as such because of the nega- foremost a human being, like the picturesque village. tive stereotypes associated we all are here, but I am also They moved into the aban- with this community. Saxon revival: A man carries firewood past a restaurant in proud to be a Roma,’’ he said. Good for business: Armenian women prepare local crafts for tourists (background) visiting doned houses and worked with With the help of the Mihai Viscri on Oct. 8. AFP-JIJI Romania’s Roma commu- ancient Tatev Monastery on Saturday. AFP-JIJI the remaining Saxons to forge Eminescu Trust, set up with nity is the biggest in Europe. a new future based on cultural British support, the new in- the kiln in which bricks and cient way of life restored. To- The official census puts the tourism, sustainable agricul- habitants, ‘‘Romanian Roma tiles were being cooked. day there are 11 pensions run number at 530,000, but pres- Armenia claims world’s longest aerial tramway ture and a revival of ancient and non-Roma, learned how to Gheorghe and his wife, Dor- by local families. sure groups say it is as high as craftsmanship. restore and preserve this rich ina, mold every tile and brick ‘‘At the beginning, we start- 2.5 million, with most Roma Tatev Armenia other officials attended a cere- Last year, more than 11,000 heritage,’’ said Fernolend, themselves. They use clay ed to rent only one room. Now not declaring themselves as AP mony opening the tramway, tourists from around the world vice president of the trust. from the neighborhood, which we have three,’’ said Maria such, fearing discrimination. ------which links the highway from came to see Viscri’s pastel-col- They revived ancient crafts English experts had tested Panait, who with her husband A French crackdown on Ro- Armenia on Saturday opened Armenia’s capital of Yerevan ored houses and its fortified such as making tiles and re- and identified as the most suit- renovated a house in the cen- ma, which the French govern- a $45 million aerial tramway with the ninth-century Tatev church, a UNESCO World built old Saxon buildings, re- able raw material. ter of the village. ment has linked to crime, has that it claims is the world’s Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. storing villages in work that ‘‘The idea was to help main- ‘‘We have a lot of tourists highlighted problems afflict- longest, beating out a rival in Heritage candidate and one of Even Britain’s Prince are on show in an exhibition at tain traditional skills while from abroad. They usually ing the community including New Mexico. Armenia’s oldest and most Charles has bought a house the Romanian Embassy in providing a living for a fami- like traditional food and or- prejudice, poverty, housing The tramway across the prominent monasteries. At there. Washington. ly,’’ said Colin Richards, head ganic cheese from our sheep,’’ segregation, and education Vorotan River Gorge in the one point the tramway travels ‘‘We are proud of the rebirth Gheorghe Lascu, 47, never of a conservation and archae- she said. and labor market barriers. country’s south spans 5.7 km, over the Vorotan River Gorge. because after the departure of thought he would do the same ology unit in the Shropshire The Panaits set up another For Istvan, the peaceful vil- Armenian officials said, lon- The line, named Wings of the Saxons, their traditional work as his grandfather. But council in Britain and also a project in which village wom- lage of Viscri has shielded him ger than the 4.5-km Sandia Tatev, took nearly a year and farmhouses lay derelict,’’ said for three years now, he has trust expert who visits once a en knit wool socks, a venture from many of these worries. Peak Tramway at the eastern $45 million to build. At least Caroline Fernolend, one of the been making traditional year to help the Lascu family. that took a knock during the ‘‘Here it does not matter if edge of Albuquerque, known $28 million was donated by few members of the German bricks and tiles to renovate Viscri’s inhabitants were al- global economic crisis. Or- you are Romanian Roma, Hun- as the world’s longest passen- prominent Russia business- minority who stayed behind. Saxon buildings. ‘‘I am very so encouraged to open bed- ders, mostly from Germany, garian, German or something ger tramway. man Ruben Vardanian, who ‘‘Then some Romanian Roma proud of what we do,’’ he said, and-breakfasts to accommo- plummeted from 12,000 pairs else. We consider ourselves hu- The country’s president and was born in Armenia. families who had been living watching over a fire warming date visitors drawn by its an- to only 2,000 last year. man beings first,’’ he said. national heroes’ day

Celebrating Jamaica’s National Heroes, following in their footsteps Ties with Japan remain strong

Claudia Cecile Barnes ny is held on National Heroes’ humbling the British Army and the sacrifice of both men that Jamaica Labour Party, one of their achievements continue Tatsushi Ueshima most highly esteemed coffee in AMBASSADOR OF JAMAICA Day, which is celebrated on the making the first significant redefined the struggle of the Jamaica’s two political parties, to inspire hope for the future of HONORARY CONSUL OF JAMAICA AT our country. All the AJIJC ------third Monday in October. dent in the abominable practice people, highlighting the fact which won 22 of 32 seats in the our nation. We cherish the vi- KOBE, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION members have been proud to ‘‘In all my life I have always felt Our National Heroes were of human exploitation called that the removal of the physical first general election under sion and commitment that in- OF JAPANESE IMPORTERS OF JAMAICAN witness and be a part of the the greatest thing that one ordinary people who did ex- slavery. chains, without political and Universal Adult Suffrage in spired their extraordinary COFFEE glory of this prestigious coffee. could do is sacrifice one’s self traordinary things to improve Samuel Sharpe was credited economic rights and freedoms, 1944. He became Jamaica’s deeds. ------Although a number of countries for others and the quality of life for others. with being the main instigator was not and could not be the end first Prime Minister in 1962. The fight for freedom has On the occasion of the are still struggling to recover one’s country.’’ They did so against all odds. of the 1831 Slave Rebellion, also of the matter. A protest march Manley (1893-1969), like Bus- long been won, we recognize, celebration of Jamaica’s from the financial crisis, and — The Right Ex- Some were killed. Some were known in Jamaica’s history as to the Court House tamante, identified himself however, that the journey has National Heroes’ Day, I would Jamaica and Japan are no cellent Sir Alex- imprisoned. Others alienated the Christmas Rebellion, which in October 1865 resulted in a vio- with the cause of the workers not ended. We continue to like to use this exception, I am confident that ander Busta- and misunderstood. They all played a critical role in bring- lent confrontation in which over during the period of social dis- strive toward fulfilling the opportunity to your country is on the path to a mante. showed courage and determi- ing about the abolition of slav- 500 people were killed. Paul Bo- turbances in the 1930s. A lawyer dream of our heroes to make convey to the prosperous future under the On Oct. 18, nation, and most of all, a burn- ery in 1834. A Baptist minister, gle and by profession, Manley was one our country one in which love, government strong leadership of the Hon. National He- ing desire to achieve real free- Sam Sharpe, as he is commonly were executed for their roles in of the founders of Jamaica’s tolerance and respect define and people of Bruce Golding, prime minister roes’ Day, we dom for the Jamaican people. known, used religious meet- what came to be called the Mor- first mass-based party, the our relationship with each oth- Jamaica our of Jamaica. honor the memory and cele- ings, the only permissible form ant Bay Rebellion. The rebel- People’s National Party, in er, securing the economic free- best wishes on As you honor the brate the achievements of Mar- Profile of heroes of organized activity, to inspire lion, however, paved the way 1938. Both men supported the doms for the advancement of behalf of the achievements of Jamaica’s cus Mosiah Garvey, Nanny of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, pro- the slaves to reject the belief for significant social and eco- trade union movement, leading all. It is this unity, this firm Association of forefathers, I wish all Jamaican the Maroons, Samuel ‘‘Sam’’ claimed Jamaica’s first Nation- that enslavement was their in- nomic changes that improved the way for Universal Adult commitment and this willing- Japanese Importers of citizens a day of both reflection Sharpe, , George al Hero, was the most widely escapable destiny. A plan of the people’s living conditions. Suffrage. Manley played a ma- ness to sacrifice that brought Jamaican Coffee (AJIJC) and and introspection on the William Gordon, Sir Alexander known of all the agitators for passive resistance to refuse to It was under the leadership jor role in the events leading to- us this far. It is the same spirit as Honorary Consul of Jamaica journeys past and those ahead. Bustamante and Norman the rights of the black man in work on Christmas Day turned of and ward independence in 1962, that will enable us to advance in Kobe. I hope that the cultural and Washington Manley, the found- the early 1900s. Born in St. violent, resulting in the death of that Jamaica based on a new constitution. and complete our journey. The ties between Jamaica and social bonds between our two ers of our nation. On this auspi- Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, Marcus 500 slaves and 14 whites. Sharpe was able to cross that final fron- Expectations of economic Japan are strong and enduring, nations will be further cious occasion, I am honored to Garvey founded the Universal was subsequently executed for tier to secure political autono- The indomitable spirit growth this year, have been and your country’s famous strengthened in the years to extend on behalf of the govern- Negro Improvement Associa- his role in the rebellion. This my and assume control of our In saluting Jamaica’s National seriously jeopardized by Trop- Blue Mountain coffee is the come. ment and people of Jamaica tion (UNIA) in Jamaica in 1914, event, however, marked the be- own destiny. Heroes and reflecting on their ical Storm Nicole, which hit warm greetings to Their Impe- to unite ‘‘all the Negro peoples ginning of the end of slavery in Bustamante realized that the accomplishments, we remem- Jamaica earlier in October, rial Majesties Emperor Akihito of the world into one great body the Caribbean. social and economic ills under ber our teachers, nurses, labor- leaving behind large-scale the heavy rains and strong spired by the priceless legacy and Empress Michiko, and to to establish a country and a Paul Bogle and George Wil- the British colonial govern- ers, world-class athletes and damage to infrastructure winds. Several persons were bequeathed by our National the government and people of government exclusively their liam Gordon were both instru- ment had to be countered with artists and entertainers across the island. Nicole has also displaced owing to severe Heroes. Japan. own.’’ The UNIA grew into an mental in raising awareness mobilization of the working who, through discipline and resulted in a preliminary esti- damage to their homes. ‘‘A people without the I am also using this opportu- enormous mass movement among the newly freed slaves, class. Among widespread dis- dedication, make a sterling mate of $10.6 billion in dam- Undeterred, Jamaicans knowledge of their past histo- nity to send a very special having millions of supporters in urging them to protest against content and social unrest in the contribution to national devel- age. The agriculture sector will yet again rise to the chal- ry, origin and culture is like a greeting to all Jamaican na- North America, the Caribbean and to resist the oppressive and late 1930s, Bustamante champi- opment. was one of the most harshly af- lenge posed by this setback tree without roots.’’ — Marcus tionals residing in Japan and to and Latin America, c o u n t r i e s unjust conditions under which oned the cause of the working The indomitable spirit of fected. Over $500 million and resume the critical jour- Mosiah Garvey recall the theme of National where many emigrant British they were forced to live. It was classes. In 1943 he formed the our distinguished heroes and worth of crops was lost during ney of nation building, in- Jamaica, land we love. Heritage Week celebrations, West Indian workers lived, as Oct. 10-18: ‘‘I believe in Jamai- well as in Africa. Garvey’s plan ca, . . .our people, our land, our included the establishment of heritage.’’ black-owned business enter- The founders of our nation, prises in order to secure black through their selfless struggles independence. He created an and sacrifices, have be- international awareness of the queathed to us a country t h a t right of the black race to coexist has transitioned from slavery with other people of the world through to emancipation and as equals. Recognition of Gar- independence. As a people, vey’s visionary qualities and these hard-won victories have his role in the liberation of black galvanized our determination people came only after his to safeguard this freedom. It is death. He is now regarded as this fervent belief in our coun- the father of the concept of try and people that ignites in us ‘‘black power’’ and his philoso- the resolve to ensure that our phy continues to inspire Jamai- heritage is protected for future can creative artists and many generations. reggae singers. Nanny of the Maroons, Ja- Order of National Hero maica’s only National Heroine, The Order of National Hero is was an outstanding military an honor awarded by the gov- leader, known for her wit, brav- ernment of Jamaica as part of ery and superb organizational the Jamaican honors system skills in leading the free slaves that has been in place since in their efforts to resist British 1969. The Order of National He- domination. It was Nanny’s in- ro is the highest honor that can domitable spirit that led the be accorded and is given only to maroons, during the First Ma- Jamaican citizens for ‘‘services roon War with the British from of the most distinguished na- 1720 to 1739, to successfully re- ture to the nation.’’ Jamaica pel the British troops who at- has six National Heroes and one tempted to penetrate the moun- National Heroine. tains to overpower them. Nan- In Jamaica, the awards are ny of the Maroons led her publicly announced each year people with courage and in- on Independence Day, Aug. 6, spired them to struggle to and the actual awards ceremo- maintain that spirit of freedom,

The Japan Times PUBDATE: 10/18/20010 PAGE: 5 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 18:41:17

10/18/1910 / / PT JTE/PG 5/ED 1