From November 13 to 16 the Niigata City Delegation visited Houston and Galveston in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Niigata-Galveston sister-city relationship. The delegation of 46 included members of Niigata City Council headed by Chairman Mitsuyoshi Takahashi, Niigata Citizens Group, and a Taiguruma Workshop team. The sister-city relationship was founded in 1965 and preparation for this anniversary celebration began in 2013.
The Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) hosted a reception for delegation members on November 12. JASH members as well as President Bill Weiland attended to welcome Niigata City Council members. During the reception Mr. Takahashi thanked JASH for its support and took the opportunity to introduce Niigata and its local goods – items like Japanese sake which is sold and distributed in Texas.
The following day, November 13, the City Council Delegation attended a reception hosted by Galveston City at the San Luis Hotel in Galveston. More than 100 people attended, including Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough, Galveston City Council, community members supporting the sister-city relationship, as well as Consul-General Takaoka. Mayor Yarbrough gave the delegation a warm welcome and during the reception Consul General thanked the many people whose hard work had made the 50th Anniversary Celebration possible.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration began with a Taiguruma Workshop organized by Niigata City and culminated in a Taiguruma Parade on Saturday, November 14. Taiguruma are fish-shaped lanterns on wheels and are a local craft of Niigata City. The parade took place as part of the annual Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. An MC introduced the Niigata delegation as well as Mr. Takahashi. Mr. Takahashi greeted the audience and invited them to travel to Japan to visit Niigata.
The parade was accompanied by other Japanese activities organized by the Niigata Citizens Group to share the Japanese culture of Niigata with Galveston. Guests tried many activities: Wearing yukata and listening to koto; tasting green tea, onigiri made of locally grown Niigata rice, and local sake; and attempting origami, calligraphy, and eating with chopsticks. More than 200 visitors participated in the celebration and enjoyed the local culture of Niigata. |
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