Celebrating 100 years of Education and Community Spirit

This year, the Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall will be celebrating 100 years of education and community spirit. Founded in 1906, VJLS-JH has always been more than a language school. It has been and continues to be a place for preserving, promoting and advancing Japanese Canadian culture, for socializing and sharing information and experiences, for easing transition into Canadian life, and for strengthening the sense of community.

Over our 100 years of rich history, we have continued to grow and evolve in spite of many steep obstacles by valuing and taking strength from culture and community, adapting to change, and continuing to expand our partnerships at the local and global levels.

Please come out and participate in the exciting Centennial events and activities planned throughout 2006.

Sun, June 4th	10th Annual Fundraising GOLF TOURNAMENT * Changed from 25th to 4th of June.
Fri, June 30th	Japantown Sentimental Journey with Eiji Hanaoka & the Swing Allstars Enjoy a relaxing evening of Benny Goodman era music, swing dance lessons, and yatai (Japanese food stalls) Doors open at 6:00 PM $20 admission/ cash bar
Sat, August 5th	Centennial Publication & Historical exhibit launch 1:30 pm Gakuyukai Gathering 4:00 PM
Mon, August 7-10th	Famous Japanese calligrapher and teacher, Shiko Kataoka's Centennial Calligraphy Workshop'
Sat, October 7th	Centennial Community Banquet

**Dates may be subject to change.

The VJLS-JH will also be publishing a commemorative history book detailing our rich history (in both English and Japanese) by Mr. Francis Niiro. This book and coinciding exhibit will be launched during the Powell Street Festival weekend (August 5-6) in the heritage building.

For more information, please contact VJLS @ 604-254-2551 or e-mail us at vjls@vjls-jh.com

To celebrate our 100 years of proud heritage and to kickstart the next 100, we are launching the 2006 Centennial Fundraising Campaign. The funds from this campaign will help to sponsor various Centennial events held throughout the year as well as to help retire our building expansion costs. With your generous support, we aim to raise our target goal of $100,000.

Whether you are an alumnus of the school, a participant in our programs, or a supportive member of the community, we wish to ask you to join us in toasting our heritage and future next 100 years in the form of a special Centennial gift (all donations to the VJLS-JH are tax-deductible). Your generous spirit will help to ensure that this heritage institution and its cultural programs will remain strong in the heart of historic Japan Town for generations to come.

Download the form for donation.

Acknowledgement