Their Majesties Address the National Cultural Festival in Wakayama Online
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the opening ceremony of the 36th National Cultural Festival and the 21st National Festival of Arts and Culture for the Disabled in Wakayama Prefecture online from the Imperial Palace where they reside.
His Majesty the Emperor connected the Imperial Palace/Goseki with the site via a live broadcast and said, "I hope that the circle of exchange will lead to the creation of a new culture.
His Majesty expressed his concern for the
hardships caused by the new coronavirus and said, "I believe that art and
culture can enrich our minds and help us realize a richer life even in
difficult times.
After the ceremony, Their Majesties viewed the stage and exhibition, and talked with the performers and authors. The Emperor asked Ayaka Ejima, 18, a high school senior who danced on the stage, if she had been affected by Corona. After the meeting, Ms. Ejima said, "Even though I couldn't see his face through the mask, her eyes were very kind and she was very easy to talk to.
The National Cultural Festival, together
with the National Arbor Day, the National Athletic Meet, and the National
Abundant Sea-building Festival, is one of the four major public events in
Japan.
The following is the full text of his words:
"I am pleased to be able to attend the
opening ceremonies of the 36th National Cultural Festival in Wakayama 2021 and
the 21st National Festival of Arts and Culture for the Disabled in Wakayama
together with you in the form of an online presentation.
Wakayama Prefecture is located on the Kii
Peninsula, the largest peninsula in Japan. The rain that falls on the mountains
of the Kii Mountain Range that crisscross the peninsula nurtures the forests,
and the pure water that gushes from the forests eventually becomes majestic
rivers and waterfalls that flow into the Pacific Ocean where the Kuroshio
Current flows.
In this rich natural environment, sacred
sites such as the World Heritage Sites of Kumano Sanzan and Koyasan, as well as
pilgrimage routes leading to these sites, were born, and Waka-no-ura has been
described in many poems as a scenic spot since the Manyo period.
It is truly significant that the National
Cultural Festival and the National Festival of Arts and Culture for the
Disabled will be held in Wakayama, welcoming people who are engaged in various
artistic and cultural activities in various parts of Japan.
We are still suffering from the new
coronavirus infection, which restricts people's interaction with each other and
has a great impact on artistic and cultural activities. I would like to express
my deepest sympathies to all those involved in the arts and culture for their
hardships and concerns in continuing their activities.
Facing this difficult situation, I think it
is a great encouragement for arts and cultural activities that this conference
is being held while paying attention to the response to the new coronavirus
infection.
I believe that art and culture can enrich
our hearts and help us realize a richer life, even in difficult times.
Under the theme of "Blue Mountains,
Blue Seas, Culture Shines," this year's conference will feature a variety
of artistic and cultural activities throughout the prefecture, where people
with and without disabilities will be able to interact with each other across
generations and regions, sharing joy and excitement.
I hope that through these efforts, the
value and appeal of local culture will be reaffirmed, and the circle of
exchange among many people will lead to the creation of a new culture.
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