The first government-sponsored "International Red-White Singing Festival in IKUNO"

On October 5th, I had the honor of participating as one of the judges for the International Red-White Singing Festival in IKUNO, which was held for the first time under the organization of the local government.

Twelve groups from seven countries, who had passed through four rounds of selection, took part in the event. The program featured the comedy duo Mujinzou as hosts; senior participants amazed the audience with elegant（？） Latin dance steps; the wife of a popular Nepalese restaurant owner from the local shopping street sang “Osaka Lover”; a Vietnamese man who runs a café on the second floor of a bicycle shop performed “Naniwabushi da yo, Jinsei wa”;

And even Mayor Sujihara sang a celebratory song in English. The whole venue was filled with energy and excitement.

In Osaka’s Ikuno Ward, more than 20% of registered residents are foreign nationals. It truly feels like a community where people recognize and respect each other’s cultures.
I am genuinely delighted that the International Red-White Singing Festival continues to grow as an event where both Japanese residents and those from abroad can mutually acknowledge and celebrate one another.

To everyone who has devoted so much time and effort to making the International Red-White Singing Festival in IKUNO a reality—thank you so much for your hard work.

Finale of the International Red-White Singing Festival in IKUNO: “Continuation of This Earth”

 

 

 

（written by the founder of the International Red-White Singing Festival(IRWS) Kazumi Miyazaki)