The 7th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival: Okinawa Connected with the World
The 7th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival: Okinawa Connected with the World
The Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival held for the first time in six years, took place from October 31 to November 1, 2022. This unique international event, occurring every five years, brings together representatives of 400,000 immigrants with Okinawan roots from around the world. This year's festival was particularly memorable as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan.
On the first day, groups of returnees from Brazil, Hawaii, and other countries participated in a parade on Kokusai Street. Many members of the Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Network also joined. It was impressive to see many Okinawans warmly welcoming the participants with phrases like "Welcome back" from the sidelines.
The opening ceremony featured karate demonstrations by world champions and brought together significant figures such as Luis Ishikawa, the Venezuelan ambassador born in Okinawa 50 years ago, David Ige, the Governor of Hawaii, and student ambassadors from various countries, all affirming the importance of this gathering.
The event was further enlivened by showcases of Okinawan cultural exports like karate and the Ryukyu koto, presentations on the Okinawa Peace Prize, and introductions to the staff of the 2023 Basketball World Cup to be held in Okinawa.
Participants from Peru, Guatemala, Bolivia, Taiwan, Hawaii, and the UK shared their thoughts on the importance of this event. Many have been actively promoting Okinawan culture through karate, sanshin, and other traditions in their respective countries.Interviewees expressed joy at returning to Okinawa, describing it as a heart-warming "Chimu dondon" (exciting) experience, like meeting old friends. Thomas Sakuma from Hawaii, who has been attending since the second festival 27 years ago, noted the development of Okinawa and the increasing diversity of returnees with each iteration.
The strength of the Uchinanchu people, who value Okinawa's unique culture and have firmly rooted themselves in countries worldwide, seems to stem from their distinctive openness and sense of solidarity, embodied in the phrase "Ichariba chōdē" (Once we meet, we're brothers and sisters). The next festival is scheduled for 2027, five years from now.
https://www.qab.co.jp/news/20221103157480.html