[Spots] Star Mall with Bamboo Decorations, Mitsukemachi Parking Lot, Daimondori Street and Akashimachidori Street with Stalls, and so on
[IES] Hiratsuka International Exchange Salon
[Visitors] 68 visitors including 51 HIDA (YKC) practice caregivers and participants from 6 countries, with 31 from Indonesia, 8 from China, 7 from Vietnam, 3 from Thailand, and 1 each from the Philippines and India, 10 JICA participants from 10 countries, with 1 each from Algeria, Swaziland, Uganda, India, Turkey, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Serbia, Pakistan and Egypt, A Bhutanese family of three and their Tanzanian friend, and a teacher of Indonesian language, and 2 staff from HIDA and JICA
[Attendants] 24 KSGG members, 4 IES members and 1 observer
The 62nd Shonan Hiratsuka Star Festival was held, which was the second festival after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Unfortunately they didn't have a parade by a musical band, but we enjoyed gorgeous bamboo decorations which are unique every year and Amagirenpo drum performance, which we never get tired of watching. JICA participants from Yokohama joined us for the first time this year. We gave all of them Japanese-paper-doll-shaped book marks when we said good bye. We could have a pleasant tour to the Hiratsuka Star Festival thanks to the cooperation of all the visitors.
Guiding JICA participants
They enjoyed taking photos of bamboo decorations and women in cotton kimono and watching a powerful drum performance on a stage. They also enjoyed paper folding and Japanese calligraphy at IES and took their works home. The following thank you letter is from one of the visitors.
From Ms. S (Costa Rica)
Thank you for the lovely photos and for helping us! Your organization is always so kind!!! I had a great time in the festival!
Once Again thank you for your dedication and for teaching us about the marvelous Japanese culture!