Volume 04, Number 23
Partyline
The fast-approaching winter holidays mean lots of fast-approaching year-end deadlines. These, in addition to catching up on parties and events in Party Line, organizing my 10th-annual Orphan's Party at the Hilton (Dec. 5) and balancing a full schedule of meeting people, partying and traveling, have made life pretty hectic. I'm sure many of you, with your families and friends, are every bit as busy as well.
Still, let's try to make time for our always-happening social scene and head over to the New Otani, where H.E. Maftah M.H. Faitouri and Ambassador of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and his wife Fatma hosted a grand reception on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the Great September First Revolution. The Faitouris are a popular couple and, as expected, there was a big turnout that evening. The hostess Fatma has had some health problems lately, and I was really happy to see that she was well on he way to a full recovery. Her marvelous smile was proof of her improvement.
I also enjoyed meeting the Faitouri's three sons, who were busy helping their parents make sure their many guests were enjoying themselves (which, believe me, they were).
The bountiful buffet included some of the best couscous I've ever had. When I learned that Fatma herself had prepared this, I gave her my compliments, to which she replied, “Whenever you feel hungry, just call and I'll send some over to your house!” That's traditional Libyan thoughtfulness and generosity for you!
Over at The Palace Hotel, Moroccan Ambassador Abdelkader Lecheheb hosted a festive celebration to mark both Morocco's National Day as well as the anniversary of H.M. King Mohammed VI's ascension to the throne. It was a relaxing evening with a big gathering of powerful, well-known and interesting people. Kudos to the hotel's food and beverage department: the Moroccan, Western and Japanese buffet was excellent! There was also an exciting show by a Japanese taiko drum group. (Everyone likes the taiko!) I enjoyed meeting and chatting with recently arrived Lebanese Ambassador Mohamad El-Harake, who was posted in the U.S. prior to coming to Japan. During the course of the evening I had the opportunity to introduce him to U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer, and the outgoing, friendly, Texas-style Ambassador told him to “drop by the house and say ‘hello'”. I knew he was sincere in his offer.
Many years ago I had the privilege of meeting and having lunch with King Mohammed. At that time he was Crown Prince, and I remember how gentle, worldly and knowledgeable he was. I also had the opportunity to show his younger brother, Prince Moulay, around Roppongi. He was very outgoing, loved to party and really enjoyed meeting and talking with all different kinds of people. Like his big brother, Prince Moulay was also very worldly and knowledgeable. The only thing missing at the wonderful Moroccan celebration was the Ambassador's superwife Lamia. She had to be in Morocco at the time, on family business.
Take 17 out of 24 F-one racers and put them in a small club—The New Lex—with many of their fans and friends just after the big F1 Japanese Grand Prix Race at Fuji Speedway and you have a great party! There was a lot of energy and noise that night, but no real problems. The drivers posed for pictures with many of the people there, danced and, from what I was told, really had a good time. Thanks to party sponsor Ceremony Corp. President Tsukasa Shiga. I got to meet all the drivers, and have since developed an interest in what's often called “the world's most exciting sport.”
It was a very worthwhile Mongolian Children's Charity event at Suji's popular restaurant, across from the International Clinic at Iikura Katamachi crossing in Roppongi on Sep. 13.
The special guest was Patricia Scroope, who gave up her teaching job of ten years at Sacred Heart to go to Mongolia to work with street children in Ulan Bator, as well as with inmates in the state-run women's prison. Her slideshow and talk were really interesting. Good food, good drinks and the opportunity to spend time with interesting people of all ages and backgrounds interested in helping the less-fortunate added up to a very rewarding evening.
Suji's, by the way—with its light, bright New Yorkstyle décor—proved itself to be the perfect venue for parties and events. See page nine for more details on Suji's restaurant.
It was Johnny Walker's birthday, and in his generous way he joined Francoise Morechand in throwing a great party at the beautiful Bice Restaurant in Shiodome. The party was set up to not only celebrate Johnny's birthday, but to also raise money for the Dance 4 AIDS Orphans charity. It was wall-to-wall with artsy, interesting people, with a superb Italian buffet—all for a good and needy cause.
It was also nice when Norman Tolman's daughter Hilary, who lives here now, set up an intimate birthday party for him. Norman lost several good friends recently and it has been a difficult time for him. Happy Hilary, her husband French Chef Patrice Martineau who's Chef de Cuisine at the Peninsula Hotel's trendy, super-chic signature restaurant and their son Lucas are here to be with Norman.
Where was my clone when I needed it? I was sorry to have missed Peruvian Ambassador Hugo Palma's dinner in honor of Mr. Rafael Rey, Minister of Production of Peru. I felt the same when the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany had a musical evening with jazz pianist Mitsuaki Kishi on Bossendorfer piano accompanied by Masatoshi Koi on bass and Kazuaki Yokoyama on drums.
I also missed the Republic of South Africa's Ambassador Dr. Baldwin S. Ngubane and his wife Sheila's buffet reception, in honor of Ms. Buyelwa Patience Sonjica, Minister of Minerals and Energy, who was visiting Japan. Over at The Okura, the Republic of San Marino Ambassador Professor Manlio Cadelo held a press conference for the issue of commemorative gold coins between Japan and San Marino.
Our Polish friends have certainly been keeping busy lately! There's been a full schedule of Polish events to mark the 50th anniversary of the resumption of Japanese-Polish diplomatic relations. Starting with former president Lech Walesa's visit in March, events will continue through December with a conference, “Warsaw”, and an exhibition.
The most recent events have included a tourism promotion of UNESCO sites, a concert and a short film festival.
I love fado music and am sorry to have been unable to go to the home of Portuguese Ambassador Joao Pedro Zanatti and his wife Madalena for their reception to meet the fadista Ana Moura. She's a terrific singer. One of Japan's biggest cultural/charity events, the Ikebana International Annual Fair will be held at the Tokyo Prince Hotel from 11:30am to 3:30pm on Monday, Dec. 10. In addition to an exhibition of Ikebana by masters of the craft, there's an international bazaar, a bake sale of homemade goods, gift booths, among many other attractions. HIH Princess Takamado is patron of the event, Miriam Arai is Chairman and Boontipa Simaskul (wife of Thai Ambassador) is president of Ikebana International. I'm just back from a laid-back week in the Philippines. Manila, with its marvelous decorations, Christmas music and holiday mood was really a great getaway. Please be sure to visit there yourselves, when you're in this part of the world.
Unfortunately, going on this getaway meant missing some very worthwhile events here in old Edo. These included a festive celebration to celebrate Poland's Independence Day at the home of Polish Ambassador Margin Rybick and his wife Adrianna on Nov. 12, as well as a gala reception hosted by Algerian Ambassador Sid Ali Ketrandji and his wife Amal at The New Otani on Nov. 13, on the occasion of Algeria's National Day.
As part of the year long Festival of India, there was—what I heard—a fantastic concert by ‘The Paganini of Indian Classical Music', Dr. L. Subramamaniam on Sunday, Nov. 18. Tokyo just never does slow down—and that's great.