Oita Japan Festival in Austin
2024/9/24
Chairperson of the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee Ms. Bryant (middle), Austin City Council Person, Mr. Vela (right), and Consul General Naganuma (left)
The mayor of Oita City, Mr. Adachi
On September 22nd, Consul General Naganuma attended the “Oita Japan Summer Festival” held at the Long Center in Austin, Texas.
This summer festival is organized by the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Sister City Committee") and held in cooperation with Japan-related organizations in the Austin area. It is held every year as an opportunity to introduce Austinites to Oita City, a sister city of the city of Austin, and Japan.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Honorable Aurora Martinez Jones (126th Civil District Court Judge), Council Member José "Chito" Vela (Austin City Council), and representatives from Japanese organizations and companies in the Austin area. In addition, the mayor of Oita City, Mr. Shinya Adachi, provided a video greeting. In his speech, Consul General Naganuma thanked the Sister City Committee and other involved parties for hosting the festival and fostering the friendship between the two cities, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year. He also expressed his hope that the festival would further deepen the friendship and mutual understanding between Oita City and Austin, as well as between Japan and the United States. Finally, he presented a check to the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, which was the recipient of this year's Salary Assistance Grant for Japanese Language Courses awarded by the Japan Foundation.
In addition, six high school students who visited Oita City in August as part of a youth exchange program gave remarks, expressing their gratitude to those involved and sharing their impressions of their visit to Oita City.
The event attracted as many as 2,600 Austinites who enjoyed stage performances by a shamisen player and a calligraphy artist from Oita City, as well as performances by local Austin kendo, sumo, and taiko drum teams. Festival booths allowed guests to enjoy Japanese cultural activities such as origami and calligraphy, as well as Japanese bento meals for purchase.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support cultural exchange and outreach programs that promote Japan.
This summer festival is organized by the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Sister City Committee") and held in cooperation with Japan-related organizations in the Austin area. It is held every year as an opportunity to introduce Austinites to Oita City, a sister city of the city of Austin, and Japan.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Honorable Aurora Martinez Jones (126th Civil District Court Judge), Council Member José "Chito" Vela (Austin City Council), and representatives from Japanese organizations and companies in the Austin area. In addition, the mayor of Oita City, Mr. Shinya Adachi, provided a video greeting. In his speech, Consul General Naganuma thanked the Sister City Committee and other involved parties for hosting the festival and fostering the friendship between the two cities, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year. He also expressed his hope that the festival would further deepen the friendship and mutual understanding between Oita City and Austin, as well as between Japan and the United States. Finally, he presented a check to the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, which was the recipient of this year's Salary Assistance Grant for Japanese Language Courses awarded by the Japan Foundation.
In addition, six high school students who visited Oita City in August as part of a youth exchange program gave remarks, expressing their gratitude to those involved and sharing their impressions of their visit to Oita City.
The event attracted as many as 2,600 Austinites who enjoyed stage performances by a shamisen player and a calligraphy artist from Oita City, as well as performances by local Austin kendo, sumo, and taiko drum teams. Festival booths allowed guests to enjoy Japanese cultural activities such as origami and calligraphy, as well as Japanese bento meals for purchase.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support cultural exchange and outreach programs that promote Japan.
