~Photos and article from JETAA Wellington~
Following up from our posting in the April newsletter, the Wellington Japan Festival held on 23 August was a great success with an estimated 35,000 visitors and a delegation from our Sister City Sakai (Osaka prefecture). JETAA Wellington was heavily involved with the planning committee of the Festival and had representation throughout, withthe giant kimono feature centrepiece, co-joint master of ceremonies and – for the first time in Wellington –a very popular taiyaki stall.
Taiyaki Stall
As a vision to introduce taiyaki to the Wellington community, the taiyaki stall was the most popular food stall at this year’s Festival – long queues meant many people waited up to an hour for the tasty treats. The JETAA team managed to produce an impressive 700 fish, with the stall continuing trade well past the Festival’s closing time.
The Friendship Kimono
The kimono was an impressive towering point that created a division between the performing stage and the activity and food stalls. The artistic contribution from all those involved including the seven Japanese schools, 13 Wellington-based schools and youth groups created an overwhelming piece of art that received much attention, having featured in the local newspaper in the lead up to the event.
The kimono received special mention at the post-Festival dinner with representatives from both Wellington and Sakai Cities. Sakai City Mayor Mr Takayama said he had heard about the giant kimono from his Wellington counterpart when she visited earlier this year, but he had no idea that it would be that big.
The collaboration of the JETAA team this year for the Festival activities has been outstanding and in the true experience of JETAA; it has represented returnees giving something back and promoting Japan. We are greatly appreciative of all those that have supported us, particularly to CLAIR. We are currently collecting material for a book regarding the kimono project and will present a copy to CLAIR at this year’s Oceania conference.
