“Japan Bird Festival 2017” aiming at “Creating Coexistence Between Humans and Birds” was held for two days. AIRA members participated as volunteer interpreters for the foreign booths at the request of the executive committee. (No.17-16)
Date and time: November 04, 2017 (Sat): 9: 30 to 16: 00 (Welcome reception: 17:00 to 18:30)
November 05 (Sun): 9: 30 to 15: 00
Venue: Oban Place (former bird museum open space)
Interpreters at foreign booth: Wasna Kida (04, Thailand), Ojha Dharma Raj (04, 05, Nepal), Rika Hino (04, Nepal), Yasuhiko Hesaki (04, Malaysia and 05, Nepal) , Rie Hama (04, Hawaii), Hiroshi Osaki (04,Philippines), Joselin Kobayashi (04, Philippines), Suzue Fujie (05, Thailand), Mitsuru Sato (05, Malaysia), Ryo Yoshikawa (05, Hawaii) and Noriko Kurata (05, Philippines)
Total number of working days 13(11 people)
Japan Bird Festival (JBF) is the Japan’s highest grade event where people come closer to birds being held annually around Mizu-no-yakata museum in Abiko. There were 180 booths including 8 foreign countries this year, of which AIRA members were in charge of volunteer interpretation for the 5 foreign countries. At the Oban Place, the main venue, foreign booths participated in the event with NPO and commercial booths. It was nice weather on the day of the Bird Festival, but very muddy due to rain before the Festival. Interpreters learned beforehand bird names in each local language for corresponding with visitors who love birds.
A welcome reception was held in the evening of the 1st day at the restaurant Maimaitei in Mizu-no-Yakata. The exhibitors including those from overseas participated in the reception and introduced themselves after greeting of Mayor Hoshino and some guests. Among interpreters, especially Wasna Kida from Thailand and Joselin Kobayashi from Philippines did a great job by interpreting in their local language well into Japanese.
AIRA also required foreigners living in Abiko to participate as an interpreter for friendship promotions. Raz Dalma Oza in charge of Nepal booth is a student of Chuo Gakuin University. Although it was the first time for him to explain Nepalese products, he was gradually used to it, supporting a part of the booth’s operation.
Ryo Yoshikawa in charge of Hawaii booth is a teacher at Abiko high school. AIRA requested him to help interpretation making use of the relation made when Taiwanese high schoolers had a homestay in Abiko last year.
JBF executive committee evaluated exhibitors and participants including NGO, NPO, voluntary groups, student groups, and public administration. As the result of voting by the committee, Hawaii booth received “Ban Prize”, the 2nd place, which was given to a group evaluated as presenting excellent contents with exhibition, interpretation and trial program, and important contents in comparison with others. Mr. Yoshikawa interpreted to Japanese their happiness in receiving the award at the award ceremony, adding that “The 3rd Bird Festival will be held in Big Island in Hawaii next year”.
Foreign booth’s people became familiar with AIRA interpreters, particularly Filipino exhibitors among participating countries in their 3rd time. We enjoyed the participation and cooperative works with people from overseas for 2 days.
Additionally, it was announced that the number of the 2 days visitors to JBF was 40,000.
(Translated by Rica Hino)
