アトランタ総領事館より、この春のワシントンD.C.で行われた桜フェスティバルのレポートをご紹介。
Cherry Blossom Edition
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Japan in the News
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Parade and Street Festival
Each April, cherry blossom spirit reaches its peak as crowds gather for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the Japan-America Society of Washington DC’s Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. Ambassador and Mrs. Sugiyama greeted parade-goers from their spot aboard a vintage convertible. Performers from around the world came to participate in this spirited event. At the Street Festival later that day, the Ambassador and his wife had a chance to walk around and meet with the many volunteers and leaders whose important work contributes to Japan-US exchange and friendship.
桜祭りでは、杉山大使ご夫妻が参加され、パレードも行われました。
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The Princess Program
For over seventy years, the Cherry Blossom Princess Program has made cherry blossom season an occasion for providing educational and networking opportunities to young women. As the cherry blossoms bloom, Princesses selected from across the country gather in Washington, DC. Representing their state, territory, or embassy, the Princesses participate in leadership activities and have the opportunity to network with and learn from female role models across various fields. Each year, one Princess is chosen by the spin of a wheel to become the Cherry Blossom Queen. The selected Queen has the chance to travel to Japan.
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Festival Finale Concert
To honor the remarkable ability of music to bridge cultures, the Embassy of Japan concluded this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival with a powerful performance by acclaimed pianist and composer Ichiro Nodaira. Mr. Nodaira played both American and Japanese pieces, and was joined for the second half by violinist Sumire Hirotsuru. The concert was held at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, which holds a symbolic connection to Japan. In honor of America’s Bicentennial, Japan provided the Center with a philanthropic gift to support the theater’s construction.
桜祭りフェスティバルのトリを務められたのは、ピアニスト・野平一郎氏。
