Mayoral Delegation visits Kagoshima City (50th anniversary celebration of Perth-Kagoshima sister city relationship)
2024/12/9
A mayoral delegation with Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas visited Kagoshima City from the 2nd to the 4th of November, to visit Kagoshima City Mayor Takao Shimozuru and other Kagoshima city officials and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Perth-Kagoshima sister city relationship.
〈73rd Ohara Matsuri〉
The mayoral delegation participated in the Ohara Matsuri – the largest festival in southern Kyushu – dancing together with Mayor Shimozuru and Kagoshima City Council Chairman Kawagoe Keiji, to the region’s own typical Japanese folk tune known as ‘Ohara-Bushi.’ Approximately 17,000 people from all over Japan took part in the dancing parade. During his courtesy call to the Kagoshima City Mayor, Mayor Zempilas was told about how the Ohara Matsuri first took shape at the hand of the local people soon after the end of the Second World War to inspire them to rebuild their town, becoming an important part of the city as it was rebuilt and developed. Mayor Zempilas spoke at the opening of the Ohara Matsuri, expressing his great pleasure at being able to celebrate with the people of Kagoshima who hold this rich cultural tradition within themselves. He also spoke of his hopes for continued fortune in the strong bond of friendship that brings so much joy to both cities.
〈73rd Ohara Matsuri〉
The mayoral delegation participated in the Ohara Matsuri – the largest festival in southern Kyushu – dancing together with Mayor Shimozuru and Kagoshima City Council Chairman Kawagoe Keiji, to the region’s own typical Japanese folk tune known as ‘Ohara-Bushi.’ Approximately 17,000 people from all over Japan took part in the dancing parade. During his courtesy call to the Kagoshima City Mayor, Mayor Zempilas was told about how the Ohara Matsuri first took shape at the hand of the local people soon after the end of the Second World War to inspire them to rebuild their town, becoming an important part of the city as it was rebuilt and developed. Mayor Zempilas spoke at the opening of the Ohara Matsuri, expressing his great pleasure at being able to celebrate with the people of Kagoshima who hold this rich cultural tradition within themselves. He also spoke of his hopes for continued fortune in the strong bond of friendship that brings so much joy to both cities.
During the festival, ‘Perth Ondo’ (Ref 1 below), a song composed and arranged by members of the local Japanese community in Perth, was broadcast along with a message for the 50th anniversary celebration (Ref 2 below) for the crowds to hear. The delegation also took a ride on the “Perth” tram which symbolises the sister city relationship, and took a stroll down Perth Street.
〈School Exchange〉
Following reciprocal delegation visits between Perth and Kagoshima, a group of 20 students from Minami IBS Academy visited Perth for around two weeks from November 13. The following week, a group of 12 students from Perth’s Mater Dei College visited Kagoshima City from November 22 to 27. We know this student exchange will continue to strengthen the great friendship between our two cities.
Following reciprocal delegation visits between Perth and Kagoshima, a group of 20 students from Minami IBS Academy visited Perth for around two weeks from November 13. The following week, a group of 12 students from Perth’s Mater Dei College visited Kagoshima City from November 22 to 27. We know this student exchange will continue to strengthen the great friendship between our two cities.
〈Ref 1：Perth Ondo〉
Great city of Perth surrounded by nature.
Reflection of neon on the swan river.
Where the southern cross shines in the night.
Heart full city, heart full city, city of dreams.
★Saasa Yoi Yoi come to the Perth
Saasa Yoi Yoi come to the Perth
Ships full of people’s dreams.
Fremantle is the port town.
Seagulls fly around the peaceful town.
Red sunsets, red sunsets, the Indian Ocean.
★
Whales jumps between the waves.
Blue ocean spreads far and wide.
I wish to go just you and me.
Quokka welcomes, quokka welcomes, Rottnest island.
★
Let’s dance together to the rhythm of the Perth Ondo cheerfully.
Everyone dances happily together.
Hopes for tomorrow, hopes for tomorrow, arises.
★
〈Ref 2：a message for the 50th anniversary celebration〉
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Perth, Australia and Kagoshima City, Japan.
The sister city relationship between Perth, the “city of light” at the 32nd parallel south, and Kagoshima, the “city of the sun and greenery” at the 32nd parallel north, began due to their geographical similarities, and the two cities signed a sister city agreement on April 23, 1974.
Since then, the two cities have deepened their bonds of friendship through the exchange of animals, sports, and youth exchanges.
This year, to commemorate this milestone, five people from Perth, including Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, are participating in the 73rd Ohara Festival.
The song being performed now is the “Perth Ondo”, which was written, composed and choreographed by Japanese people living in Perth. It was created with the idea of loving the city of Perth from the heart, but also never forgetting Japan, their homeland. If you listen carefully, you can imagine the beautiful cityscape, and the charm of Perth is being expressed in the melody of the Japanese Ondo. The choreography is also typical of Perth, with surfing, waves, Australian-style sunscreen and kangaroos. (In addition, the didgeridoo, a traditional Australian musical instrument, is used in the song, as well as the shamisen).
You can also find the dance on Social Media such as YouTube, so please search for “Perth Ondo” and “Perth Japan Festival” to deepen your interest in our sister city, Perth.
Great city of Perth surrounded by nature.
Reflection of neon on the swan river.
Where the southern cross shines in the night.
Heart full city, heart full city, city of dreams.
★Saasa Yoi Yoi come to the Perth
Saasa Yoi Yoi come to the Perth
Ships full of people’s dreams.
Fremantle is the port town.
Seagulls fly around the peaceful town.
Red sunsets, red sunsets, the Indian Ocean.
★
Whales jumps between the waves.
Blue ocean spreads far and wide.
I wish to go just you and me.
Quokka welcomes, quokka welcomes, Rottnest island.
★
Let’s dance together to the rhythm of the Perth Ondo cheerfully.
Everyone dances happily together.
Hopes for tomorrow, hopes for tomorrow, arises.
★
〈Ref 2：a message for the 50th anniversary celebration〉
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Perth, Australia and Kagoshima City, Japan.
The sister city relationship between Perth, the “city of light” at the 32nd parallel south, and Kagoshima, the “city of the sun and greenery” at the 32nd parallel north, began due to their geographical similarities, and the two cities signed a sister city agreement on April 23, 1974.
Since then, the two cities have deepened their bonds of friendship through the exchange of animals, sports, and youth exchanges.
This year, to commemorate this milestone, five people from Perth, including Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, are participating in the 73rd Ohara Festival.
The song being performed now is the “Perth Ondo”, which was written, composed and choreographed by Japanese people living in Perth. It was created with the idea of loving the city of Perth from the heart, but also never forgetting Japan, their homeland. If you listen carefully, you can imagine the beautiful cityscape, and the charm of Perth is being expressed in the melody of the Japanese Ondo. The choreography is also typical of Perth, with surfing, waves, Australian-style sunscreen and kangaroos. (In addition, the didgeridoo, a traditional Australian musical instrument, is used in the song, as well as the shamisen).
You can also find the dance on Social Media such as YouTube, so please search for “Perth Ondo” and “Perth Japan Festival” to deepen your interest in our sister city, Perth.