我孫子市国際交流協会

Date/Time: Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:00am-4:00pm
Venue: Civic Plaza, Abiko Shopping Plaza
Theme: "World's Cha 茶 チャ, Cha 茶 チャin AIRA~ "

The 2006 festival was held at the lobby, the gallery and the hall of Civic Plaza.
At the tea ceremony corner in the lobby visitors enjoyed tasting maccha, powdered green tea. Some foreign women elegantly clad in kimonos also tried one of popular Japanese manners in the quiet atmosphere.
Another striking subject in the lobby was an Ikebana display arranged by Ms. S. Iwai. Regrettably, unlike usual year, flower arrangement by foreign students was not realized this year.
Visitors found what the theme of this year really meant when they stepped into the gallery, where they faced pictures, exhibits and performances, all related with "tea".
Both of the walls were adorned with papers and illustrations on such as, Tea and International Community, Worldwide distribution of tea, Accidental discovery of tea, Naming of tea in the world, photos of tea-plucking, etc.
The exhibits of teas from various countries and tea things particularly attracted viewers' attention.
Visitors looked to rediscover the fact that tea, despite the diversity of naming by country or area, is deeply and widely loved by people in the world.
At a corner specially prepared in the middle of the gallery, tea-serving demonstration was held: Taiwanese and Chilean women served tea of their own country, "oolong-tea" and "mate-tea", explaining in an exquisite manner in front of tea-lovers how to prepare and drink tea.
Those who were served looked enjoying tasting tea in the real and home manner.

On both sides of the gallery, the tiny tea-service corners were endlessly visited by tea-hoppers. Many of them tried to taste Brazilian "mate-tea", Sri Lankan tea, English rare tea, Japanese green tea, etc. one after another.
A special confectionary stand was opened to cater for refreshments like home-made cookies, cakes, breads, etc., however, for most visitors it served simply as a shop to buy some sweets for their families at home.
Last but not least, AIRA showed its activity records on the panels with numerous photos and brief explanations. Tens of pictures told how different kinds of activities have been conducted by members throughout the year. Not only the members, but other visitors were informed anew of its wide-ranged activities.

Now let's look at the hall. Welcome addresses were given by Mr.T. Okubo, President of AIRA, and Mr. T. Watanabe, Deputy Mayor of Abiko City, then followed by introduction of honorable guests.
The long-awaited entertainment hours started on the stage.
The first item in the program was a Japanese traditional dancing by Ms. F.Fujima, who played gracefully 2 selections. Secondly, Mr. Maulice Mandalino, a young Australian did one-man talk-and-sing performance, playing guiter and telling Kamishibai stories, which excited not only small children but grown-ups as well.
In the next, the popular annual program, let's-sing-along time started. Students of 5 different language classes, i.e., Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean and French sang together 1 or 2 songs each. The audience gave clapping to each performance, praising particularly their distinct pronunciation. The Spanish class students played a skit in simple words and short sentences hoisting placards.
A stretching exercise led by Ms. M. Takahashi served as a timely brief rest in between massive programs.
Spectators were enchanted by the classical Indian dance played by Mr. T. Kodama to the tune with deep fantasy.
Argentine tango dancing by S. Carlos Morishita rounded off the 2-hour-long entertainment. He expressed gracefulness with his Colombian partner, and passionate feelings with the Japanese partner in the second tune " El Recuerdo". All of them fascinated audience with brisk and sensual dancing, finishing among a storm of applause with "Bravo!".

Lastly, Mr. Y. Kadota, Chairman of the Matsuri Committee thanked the guests and audience for visiting the event. Thus the whole program came to an end on time.
On behalf of the members, the AIRA management sincerely appreciate for the cooperation given by organizations, citizens and all concerned who ensured the success of the 2006 festival.

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