<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Kyoto Music Festival 2024</strong></span></span></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Connecting people through heartfelt songs</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Discovering the beauty of Japanese through numerous heart-touching J-POP songs.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><b>[unscaled1]</b></p>

<p dir="ltr">On March 3rd, <a href="https://kyoto-mf.jp/">Kyoto Music Festival 2024</a> took place at the Concert Hall in Joyo City Cultural Center Kyoto Prefecture. This event was held to commemorate the <a href="https://st.japantimes.co.jp/news/?p=nm20160401">relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto.</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr">The first half was energized by performances from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZQe8jcRVHo">asobiyoshi </a>and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGQcPcEPcn4">Big Mouth Brass Band</a>. Following them, the stage was taken over by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6tUMQItaUo">Human note, led by artist HitoshiTerao</a>.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">As the season welcomes new encounters, uplifting songs encouraging and cheering on people, and songs urging us to strive together, filled the air.</p>

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<p>I happened to learn about this event through a post from my acquaintance, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNWuwr739E&amp;t=76s">Mr. Terao from Human note</a>, and decided to visit. It seemed that he also guided the general choir participants.</p>

<p>When I heard my favorite song "You are my Joy" by Human note after a long time, the faces of many people I've been grateful for came to my mind, and my heart filled with gratitude.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6C4Kph3dRD0?si=BtBviPIQbfzMmNx8" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe></p>

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<p dir="ltr">The latter part featured <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7D6CguCXqc">Chris Hart</a>, who won the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0epYH9pRqSE">"Nodojiman the! World"</a> singing contest for foreigners singing Japanese and later debuted as a singer. His stage was followed by the main stage performance where Chris Hart sang alongside 50 individuals selected from the audience.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">The packed venue included students, families, seniors, and people with roots abroad, among others. It seemed like everyone overlaid their memories and emotions onto the numerous songs sung.</p>

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<p dir="ltr"><strong>Music is a wonderful culture that connects people from the past, present, and future.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">Seeing everyone leaving the venue with such satisfaction, I felt excited for the new beginnings ahead.</p>

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<p dir="ltr">《 Editor of Globalcommunity Kazumi Miyazaki》</p>
