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The 2005 ‘Hana’ Festival attracts both Korean residents in Japan and thousands of Japanese.

The festival banner, which reads “Hana” (One). ?2005 T. Mori

On the afternoon of Oct. 30, the “One Korea Festival 2005″ entertained thousands of Japanese and Korean spectators at the “Sun Plaza” in Osakajo Park, Osaka.

This is a festival for Korean residents of Japan. The overall theme is the promotion of unification of Korea.

Chong Gap Su ?2005 T. Mori

I first went to the organizers’ headquarters and interviewed chairman Chong Gap Su.

“This year is the 60th anniversary of liberation from Japanese imperialism. … Unification of Korea has already started, but it is a long process. But, it has already started,” Chong said.

“We will be brightening up the festival systematically in the future. I want young people to hold out hope for Asia and overcoming nationalism. A unity of citizens.”

I got the impression that Mr. Chong is the driving force behind the festival. I was moved deeply.

At 1 p.m. the “South Korea-Japan Friendship” committee took the stage for the opening ceremony. The South Korea-Japan friendship organization committee sponsored the event. Written on the curtain were two messages, “We are sorry for the longstanding hardships caused by Japan” and “We promise to work hard to create a splendid future.”

Chairman Chong Gap Su and members of staff demonstrate the festival’s message of solidarity. ?2005 T. Mori

Committee member Lee Bu Yeon declared, “What we want to say to the Japanese people is ‘one.’ Our mother country should unite into one. We crave peace.”

He added, “The Korean peninsula is uniting into one. We think that it also wants the Japanese to help. We should not hold a grudge against the Japanese any longer. Lend power so that peace may visit us in the future. This is what the Japanese should do.”

Applause filled the hall.

Lee Chang Bok, who is chairman of the committee, poignantly added, “We crave for peace. Japan should recognize that Japan tried to destroy peace.”

When the opening ceremony ended, the committee treated Korean residents in Japan to lunch. Moreover, Japanese over the age of 65 were also invited. I thought that the essence of the event was made clear by the coming together of both Koreans and Japanese over a nice meal.

Afterwards, a concert started. First was Jung Tae Chun and Park Eun Ok. Their beautiful singing voices were melodious. Song Byeong Ho led the audience in song. When Yu Jin Park played Khachaturian’s “Sword dance” on the electric violin, performing a comical and exciting dance, he gripped the audience’s attention.

Finally, the MC announced the final act as a “legendary singer in South Korea.”

The hall was filled with excitement when Ahn Chi Hwan appeared on stage. He sang “If I Am” and “In Front of Wire Entanglements” to great appreciation from the audience. And when he sang “The People Are More Beautiful than Flowers,” some in the audience began to dance.

“Our School” was last song, which cast a reflective mood over the hall.

The hall was filled with excitement when Ahn Chi Hwan appeared. ?2005 T. Mori

Korean children were also center stage at the event. “Palace Women Jangkeum,” a musical version of the popular Korean TV drama “Dae Jang Keum” was performed by students at KJ musical school.

After musical, Lim Ho, who is the actor who plays King Jungjong addressed the audience. The handsome actor’s mustache became him. He answered questions from some of the children who had performed in the musical.
Q: What is the most delicious dish that you ate in the drama?
Lim Ho: A dish with mixed bean paste and garlic.

Q: What is most difficult part of your performance?
Lim Ho: It is eating. It is considerably painful because I have to eat many times from morning. Though it looks delicious in the actual drama.

Q: Mr. Lim, you’re so good-looking. Please say, “Yum, that tastes good.” [The child's line in the drama.]
Lim Ho: Yum, that tastes good. [The hall burst out in laughter.]
Next, the chairman took the opportunity to ask a question of Mr. Lim. “Which actor would you like to co-star with?” Lim replied Naoto Takenaka [a famous Japanese film actor].

The keyword of the One Korea Festival is “Hana. ” Korean residents in Japan shouted “Hana!” for South Korea, North Korea and Japan. The message is put across in their songs and dances, and it aims to bring the East Asian community closer together.

I sincerely wish for the unification of Korean peninsula. The festival prompted me to swear to do all I can to help in the unification of the Korean peninsula.

2005-11-02 05:06
?2005 OhmyNews