2012年03月23日
A New Tradition
St. Patrick's Day in Takamatsu
March 20, 2012 marked Takamatsu's first ever Saint Patrick's Day celebration. And it was great fun! Although there are very few natives of Ireland living in this town, this event proved that there are many friends of the Irish. A great crowd came out to celebrate.
Local resident and key organizer Shane Coughlan explained what inspired this event. "The idea was to have a way to do cultural exchange with a strong focus on the arts. We established Shikoku Irish Network Japan (INJ) to arrange events that celebrate the cultures of Ireland and Shikoku, both small islands with a distinct local voice." (For more info about INJ, see: www.inj.or.jp )
Shane showing off his shamrock
Shane sees some remarkable similarities between Shikoku and Ireland. "Both islands have around 4 million people, are primarily rural, and are traditionally understood to have four distinct provinces with their own cultural identity - Ireland is divided into Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht and Shikoku is divided into Tokushima, Kochi, Kagawa and Ehime with the Awa, Tossa, Sanuki and Iyo cultures. We can learn from our shared history of hardship, emigration and social revival, and benefit from exploring our differences… We are trying to share interesting aspects of Ireland with people here, and in the long term we are also seeking to promote Shikoku culture and life to the world."
And they started by sharing Irish music! With impressive musicians from Ireland (and Carolina!)
And from Japan!
Then there was dancing! (The dancers received a special crash course, some of them only 30 minutes before the performance.)
There was a costume parade with
Leprechauns
and St. Patrick
who was driving out these snakes I assume
Some local ocalina players joined in
reading music as they played.
And there were many happy people sporting green....Like these boy scouts
19
and the many others who got into the spirit of things.
As I said, it was all great fun, but I'll let Shane have the last word. "...the reaction, support and enthusiasm from everyone involved - local government to local businesses to local people - was astonishing. The credit for the success of the first Irish Festival in Takamatsu belongs entirely with all those wonderful people you see in the photos."
"I would particularly like to thank Kobayashi-san at The Craic. He's genuinely mad about Irish culture and the depth of his commitment was reflected in the festival you saw." (See here for more on The Craic: www.thecraic.biz )
Kobayashi-san and family looking very happy.
Shane also tipped his hat to Michael Bedlow's "exceptional contribution...
Michael Bedlow and friends
"He is the creative whirlwind behind putting on a good show, and it seems like he has inspired many more people to think about what art, craft and traditions they might share in the future."
March 20, 2012 marked Takamatsu's first ever Saint Patrick's Day celebration. And it was great fun! Although there are very few natives of Ireland living in this town, this event proved that there are many friends of the Irish. A great crowd came out to celebrate.
Local resident and key organizer Shane Coughlan explained what inspired this event. "The idea was to have a way to do cultural exchange with a strong focus on the arts. We established Shikoku Irish Network Japan (INJ) to arrange events that celebrate the cultures of Ireland and Shikoku, both small islands with a distinct local voice." (For more info about INJ, see: www.inj.or.jp )
Shane showing off his shamrock
Shane sees some remarkable similarities between Shikoku and Ireland. "Both islands have around 4 million people, are primarily rural, and are traditionally understood to have four distinct provinces with their own cultural identity - Ireland is divided into Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht and Shikoku is divided into Tokushima, Kochi, Kagawa and Ehime with the Awa, Tossa, Sanuki and Iyo cultures. We can learn from our shared history of hardship, emigration and social revival, and benefit from exploring our differences… We are trying to share interesting aspects of Ireland with people here, and in the long term we are also seeking to promote Shikoku culture and life to the world."
And they started by sharing Irish music! With impressive musicians from Ireland (and Carolina!)
And from Japan!
Then there was dancing! (The dancers received a special crash course, some of them only 30 minutes before the performance.)
There was a costume parade with
Leprechauns
and St. Patrick
who was driving out these snakes I assume
Some local ocalina players joined in
reading music as they played.
And there were many happy people sporting green....Like these boy scouts
19
and the many others who got into the spirit of things.
As I said, it was all great fun, but I'll let Shane have the last word. "...the reaction, support and enthusiasm from everyone involved - local government to local businesses to local people - was astonishing. The credit for the success of the first Irish Festival in Takamatsu belongs entirely with all those wonderful people you see in the photos."
"I would particularly like to thank Kobayashi-san at The Craic. He's genuinely mad about Irish culture and the depth of his commitment was reflected in the festival you saw." (See here for more on The Craic: www.thecraic.biz )
Kobayashi-san and family looking very happy.
Shane also tipped his hat to Michael Bedlow's "exceptional contribution...
Michael Bedlow and friends
"He is the creative whirlwind behind putting on a good show, and it seems like he has inspired many more people to think about what art, craft and traditions they might share in the future."
My Profile
Cathy Hirano キャシー ヒラノ
I've lived in Japan since 1978. After graduating from a Japanese university with a BA in cultural anthropology in 1983, I worked as a translator in a Japanese consulting engineering firm in Tokyo for several years. My Japanese husband and I moved to Takamatsu in 1987 to raise our two children in a slower-paced environment away from the big city pressures. We've never regretted it. I work as a freelance translator and interpreter and am involved in a lot of community work, including volunteering for Second Hand, a local NGO that supports educational and vocational training initiatives in Cambodia, and for the Takamatsu International Association. I love living in Takamatsu.
Cathy Hirano キャシー ヒラノ
I've lived in Japan since 1978. After graduating from a Japanese university with a BA in cultural anthropology in 1983, I worked as a translator in a Japanese consulting engineering firm in Tokyo for several years. My Japanese husband and I moved to Takamatsu in 1987 to raise our two children in a slower-paced environment away from the big city pressures. We've never regretted it. I work as a freelance translator and interpreter and am involved in a lot of community work, including volunteering for Second Hand, a local NGO that supports educational and vocational training initiatives in Cambodia, and for the Takamatsu International Association. I love living in Takamatsu.
Posted by cathy at 15:48│Comments(2)
この記事へのコメント
It really was a festive time downtown. You captured it perfectly. Great pictures, too!
Posted by Steve at 2012年03月24日 00:25
It's easy to take great pictures of great people! Especially when they are having fun. Looking forward to next year.
Posted by cathy
at 2012年03月24日 16:03
at 2012年03月24日 16:03※会員のみコメントを受け付けております、ログインが必要です。
