International photography exhibition Katae Takashi (JP) – Ștefan Tóth István AFIAP, ESFIAP (RO) entitled “Romania-Japan Cultural Bridge”

Exceptional vernissage at the Palace of the Romanian Parliament

The imposing “C.A. Rosetti” hall of the Romanian Parliament became, on Monday, December 08, 2025, for one evening, the symbolic bridge between two cultural worlds, hosting the opening of the exhibition of photographers Takashi Katae, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Romania, and Ștefan Tóth István AFIAP, ESFIAP, suggestively titled “Cultural Bridge Japan – Romania”. In the main hall of Parliament no fewer than 130 large-format color photographs were exhibited, images capturing the discreet beauty of Japan and the diverse charm of Romania. “Photography has been a passion for me since childhood, when I joined a photo club in primary school. My father, who is no longer with us, also loved photography; he was happy that we shared this interest, and sometimes we used to go out together to capture images – until about ten years ago. Throughout my life and especially in my diplomatic career, in various foreign countries, I have always enjoyed immortalizing landscapes, unique cultures, and people’s daily lives,” confesses the Ambassador of Japan to Romania. In turn, the Oradea-based photographer emphasizes: “For a photographer from Romania, for the one who draws with light, there is no greater fulfillment than reaching the Land of the Rising Sun. Creating in that gentle, almost diaphanous light means living an unrepeatable experience.” The vernissage took place in the presence of an impressive number of ambassadors accredited to Romania, partners and collaborators of Summit Agro Romania, as well as photographers from Brașov, Bucharest and Oradea. The audience was welcomed by Dr. Eng. Patricia Maria Știrbu, President of Summit Agro Romania, Balkans and the Republic of Moldova, the host of the event, who stated: “It is a great honor and joy for me to open today this extraordinary vernissage ‘Cultural Bridge Japan – Romania’ right here, in the heart of Bucharest, a symbolic space of our openness to the world.” H.E. Takashi Katae also underlined in his speech “The honor of exhibiting alongside photographer Ștefan Tóth István, with whom photographic collaboration between Japan and Romania has been developing excellently for over 25 years”, and as a sign of appreciation, H.E. the Ambassador of Japan presented Ștefan Tóth István and Mrs. Patricia Maria Știrbu with the Honor Diploma of the Embassy of Japan in Romania. Subsequently, Mr. Mihai Coteț, Vice President of the Romanian Senate, addressed a few thoughts to the participants: “It is an honor for me, as Vice President of the Romanian Senate, to be with you at the opening of this remarkable exhibition entitled ‘Japan – Romania, cultural bridge’. Allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to the two distinguished photographer artists whose works we celebrate this evening: H.E. Katae Takashi, Ambassador of Japan to Romania, and Ștefan Tóth István, an artist deeply appreciated in the international photographic community”. Mrs. Bíró Rozália, Vice President of the Committee for European Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies, highlighted the role of photographic art in strengthening cultural and diplomatic relations: “This exhibition proves that photographic art has a special role in collaboration between artists, cultural figures, diplomats and politicians. The contribution of the Oradea artist is remarkable, as for over 25 years he has promoted Romanian-Japanese photographic projects.” Exhibiting artist Ștefan Tóth István recalled his first encounters with Japan: “Two decades ago – on my birthday – I stepped for the first time, in 2005, onto the land of this wonderful country. I consider myself fortunate to have had the chance to return four times to this fairy-tale world.” As President of the International Association “Euro Foto Art”, he presented the Ambassador of Japan with the AIEFA Patronage Certificate and the Auspices Diploma of the International Federation of Photographic Art, an organization recognized by UNESCO. The event continued with the message of Dr. Eng. Patricia Maria Știrbu, who emphasized that “Romanian agriculture is, above all, a profound passion, inherited from generation to generation, a sacred connection with the land and the cycles of nature, just as Christmas carols represent a living tradition, sung with the soul and with a passion untouched by time; and through its products, Summit Agro brings Romanian farmers innovative solutions that increase yields, reduce environmental impact and ensure efficient, safe, and future-oriented agriculture. It is a concrete way to contribute to a modern future of Romanian agriculture, which becomes more productive, more sustainable and closer to Japanese excellence in harmony with nature.” A message addressed to Summit Agro Romania’s business partners also came from the company’s Commercial Director – Mr. Bogdan Radu, who mentioned: “Summit Agro Romania, a Japanese company present for over 28 years in Romanian agriculture, has remained faithful to its values of launching and developing cutting-edge Japanese technology, with the support of distribution companies in Romania, and offering farmers technical crop protection solutions aimed at obtaining a quality Romanian product.” He also stressed that the large presence of partners at the event “sends a strong message about what Summit Agro has meant, means, and will mean for Romanian agriculture: consistency, loyalty, quality technology, responsibility and vision.” The artistic moments of the first part of the vernissage were offered by violist Thurzó Sándor József, who performed a selection of works from the Japanese repertoire – “Kono Mischi” by Yamada Kosaku, “Inu no omawarisan” by Onaka Negumi and “Nihonno fuyu” by Watanabe Shigebu, as well as Romanian pieces: “Balada” by Ciprian Porumbescu, “Din drâmboaie” by Hilda Jerea and “Cântec” by Ludovic Feldman. The ceremony ended under the sign of the winter holidays, with a carol recital performed by the children’s choir “Tronos Junior”, conducted by Ioan Balaban, the prolonged applause of the audience consecrating the beauty of this moment.