Osaka seminar to look into Belgian-Dutch ties: Flanders Center, a liaison office of the government of the Belgian region of Flanders, is offering five pairs of free tickets to a cultural seminar examining the friendship between Belgium and the Netherlands from 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the center in Tennoji Ward, Osaka.

Yayoi De Vries, wife of the consul general of the Netherlands for Osaka and Kobe, will speak on the amicable relationship between the two neighbors -- and some of their differences.

Following the speech, participants will be invited to a classical concert by an organist, a pianist and a soprano. Belgian beer and snacks will also be served.

Readers interested in entering the draw for the tickets should send a postcard stating their name, address, age, profession, phone number and the name of the medium (The Japan Times) to Seminar Kakari of Flanders Center at 8-2-6, Uehonmachi, Tennoji, Osaka-shi, 543-0001. The postcard must arrive by Jan. 25.

For more information, call the center at (06) 6773-8850 or (06) 6773-8855.

Goethe-Institut to hold German-language classes: Goethe-Institut Kyoto, which provides information on German culture, will hold six-week German conversation courses for beginners and intermediate learners starting on Feb. 9 at its facility in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward.

Intensive courses for beginners will be held four days a week, from Tuesday to Friday, between 10 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. or between 6:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. The fee for the course is 51,000 yen for students and 60,000 yen for others.

Other courses with lower fees will be held twice a week or every Saturday. Enrollments will be accepted from Jan. 27. Anyone wishing to enroll must visit the center to pay for the course.

For more information, call the organizer at (075) 761-2188.

Foreigners invited to seminar about Nara: The Nara International Foundation Commemorating the Silk Road Exposition, or NIFS, is seeking foreigners to take part in a three-day seminar on the history of Nara between March 4 and 6.

Participants will visit historical sites in Japan's ancient capital and learn about its cultural heritage, including the great Buddha at Todaiji temple and noh drama. The seminar will be conducted in Japanese and there are places for 15 participants.

The fee is 3,000 yen, and anyone interested in taking part must send an application form via fax, mail or e-mail. Applications must arrive by Jan. 31.

To obtain an application form, call the organizer or visit the foundation's Web site: www.pref.nara.jp/silk/icd/index_event.html

For more information, call the organizer at (0742) 27-1822, fax (0742) 27-2434 or e-mail: [email protected]