Abiko International Festival was held with the main theme “Soaring High Together”.This year the festival was recognized to participate in “Tokyo 2020 Support Program”,which aims to promote the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. (No.19-19)Date & Time : November 24th (Sun), 2019 11:00～16:00
Venue: Abiko Civic Plaza (Gallery, Multipurpose Hall, Salon)
Emcees : Ms. Mayumi Yasutake and Mr.Nam Sanmin(Korea)
Venue: Abiko Civic Plaza (Gallery, Multipurpose Hall, Salon)
Emcees : Ms. Mayumi Yasutake and Mr.Nam Sanmin(Korea)
This festival is held to promote the communication between citizens and foreigners living in Abiko and has marked the 28th year. Visitors enjoyed shopping at foreign booths which sold goods from other countries and offered tourist information, performances on the stage, the tea ceremony, Japanese Kimono dressing experience, and so on.
At the same time, with a view to celebrating Tokyo 2020, there was an exhibition introducing Jigoro Kano, who devoted himself to realizing the 1940 Tokyo Olympics and had a close relation with Abiko, as well as the planning drawing of “Teganuma Boat-Rowing Course” for this cancelled Olympics.
Prior to the opening of the festival, the tea ceremony started at the lobby and at the entrance of Abiko Shopping Plaza, “Unakichi-san of Teganuma”, a mascot character of Abiko City, and AIRA staff members passed out flyers advertising the festival to shoppers.
The gallery was opened at 11am and lots of people visited the foreign booths (Korea, France, Germany, Chili, England, China and South-East Asia) to buy folk craft goods and foods.
The picture-story show in both Japanese and English began at 12 pm at the hall. Ms.Erin Ichiji was in charge for Japanese and Mr.Ru Ze Ging for English.
The picture-story show in both Japanese and English began at 12 pm at the hall. Ms.Erin Ichiji was in charge for Japanese and Mr.Ru Ze Ging for English.
1. Hall
The stage events started at 1:00 pm emceed by Ms.Yasutake and Mr.Nam. Following the addresses by Mr. Hesaki, President of AIRA and Mr. Akira Aoki, Deputy Mayor of Abiko City, the guests were introduced. And then, the performances began.
The stage events started at 1:00 pm emceed by Ms.Yasutake and Mr.Nam. Following the addresses by Mr. Hesaki, President of AIRA and Mr. Akira Aoki, Deputy Mayor of Abiko City, the guests were introduced. And then, the performances began.
1) Hip-Hop Dance by Kappa Dance Kids
2) Traditional Japanese Arts
“Abiko Furusato-Kai” played the Japanese Festival Music and showed Shishi-mai (lion dance) and Hyottoko (man with a clownish mask) dance for the first time at this festival.
“Abiko Furusato-Kai” played the Japanese Festival Music and showed Shishi-mai (lion dance) and Hyottoko (man with a clownish mask) dance for the first time at this festival.
3) Italian Canzone by Mr.Hoichi Hirota
Mr.Hirota mastered Bel Canto, a style of operatic singing in Italy and his voice volume was amazing and attractive. Ms.Yuko Fukushima played the piano for him.
Mr.Hirota mastered Bel Canto, a style of operatic singing in Italy and his voice volume was amazing and attractive. Ms.Yuko Fukushima played the piano for him.
4) Instrumental Ensemble
Three students from the brass band of Chuo Gakuin University played “Eki Neko Diary” with flute, clarinet and oboe.
Three students from the brass band of Chuo Gakuin University played “Eki Neko Diary” with flute, clarinet and oboe.
5) Skit
The foreign students studying at Tuesday Japanese Class performed a skit titled “Weather Forecast of the Yamadas”.
The foreign students studying at Tuesday Japanese Class performed a skit titled “Weather Forecast of the Yamadas”.
6) Chorus by the students of the Foreign Language Classes
*Advanced Chinese Class (Ms.Zhang Class): Quiz and chorus of “Wu Li Kan Hua”
*French Class (Ms.Hirokawa Class): Chorus of “Mademoiselle de Paris” with piano accompaniment.
*Korean Class (Ms.Kim Class): Chorus of “My Grandfather’s Clock”
*Advanced Chinese Class (Ms.Zhang Class): Quiz and chorus of “Wu Li Kan Hua”
*French Class (Ms.Hirokawa Class): Chorus of “Mademoiselle de Paris” with piano accompaniment.
*Korean Class (Ms.Kim Class): Chorus of “My Grandfather’s Clock”
2. Tea Ceremony
The Tea Ceremony was performed by Ms.M.Okada of Ura Senke at the quiet space apart from the other crowded festival sites. The visitors including Kimono-dressed foreigners enjoyed the traditional atmosphere of the tea room and felt Japanese hospitality --- Omotenasi.
The Tea Ceremony was performed by Ms.M.Okada of Ura Senke at the quiet space apart from the other crowded festival sites. The visitors including Kimono-dressed foreigners enjoyed the traditional atmosphere of the tea room and felt Japanese hospitality --- Omotenasi.
3. Kimono Dressing Experience and Flower Arrangement
Kimono dressing is one of the events popular among Japanese-class students and many people applied for it. Ms.K.Taguchi and her assistants started to dress them before the opening of the festival. Ms.S.Iwai displayed a beautiful flower arrangement at the entrance.
Kimono dressing is one of the events popular among Japanese-class students and many people applied for it. Ms.K.Taguchi and her assistants started to dress them before the opening of the festival. Ms.S.Iwai displayed a beautiful flower arrangement at the entrance.
4. Gallery
Eight booths were set up in the gallery. (Korea, France, Germany, Chili, England, China and South-east Asia and AIRA.) At the foreign booths, language class students and their teachers sold foreign foods and fork craft goods.
Chinese booth was operated by both exchange students of Chuo Gakuin University and Chinese class students and this was a good opportunity for Chinese people living in Japan to talk in Chinese.
AIRA booth was operated by foreign people studying at Japanese Class.
“Kids Corner” was also set up in the gallery for visiting kids, whom Ms.Takashima, an AIRA childcare volunteer, took care of using Origami and other items.
Eight booths were set up in the gallery. (Korea, France, Germany, Chili, England, China and South-east Asia and AIRA.) At the foreign booths, language class students and their teachers sold foreign foods and fork craft goods.
Chinese booth was operated by both exchange students of Chuo Gakuin University and Chinese class students and this was a good opportunity for Chinese people living in Japan to talk in Chinese.
AIRA booth was operated by foreign people studying at Japanese Class.
“Kids Corner” was also set up in the gallery for visiting kids, whom Ms.Takashima, an AIRA childcare volunteer, took care of using Origami and other items.
5. Lucky Draw
All the scheduled performances were finished and following the closing address by Mr.Murakoshi, Executive Chairman of the Festival, the draw was conducted. Lots of donated prizes were handed over to the delighted prize winners.
All the scheduled performances were finished and following the closing address by Mr.Murakoshi, Executive Chairman of the Festival, the draw was conducted. Lots of donated prizes were handed over to the delighted prize winners.
（Translated by Mr.Katsumi Nakajima)
