No.197-3

Date: February 16 (Sunday), 2003
Place: Meguro Persimmon Hall (Great Hall)
Organized by: Opera ‘Kaguyahime’, Meguro Organizing Committee
Co-organized by: Meguro Arts Foundation and Meguro UNESCO Association
With the special cooperation of: Pioneer Co.
Supported by: the Society for Advancement of Musical Appreciation and the Pioneer Labor Union

Cooperated by: Meguro Citizen’s Concert

The opera ‘Kaguyahime’ was performed at Meguro Persimmon Hall on 16th February. ‘Kaguyahime’ (Princess from the Moon) is a famous folktale, well known by most people in Japan. A young musician, Mr. Hideaki Hirai, wished to make this famous folktale into an opera for a decade. He also wished to do the first public performance in Meguro, once famous for producing bamboo shoots. Bamboo is related to the ‘Kaguyahime’ story; she was found in a golden bamboo cut by her foster father. Having a concert in Meguro made Mr. Hirai’s dream come true. He composed music and wrote script for the opera, and also conducted the symphony orchestra on the day. He is the grandson of Mr. Kozaburo Hirai, a famous composer who passed away last autumn.

The Pioneer chorus group worked as the core of the organizing committee. Meguro Citizen’s Concert, Meguro UNESCO Association and other organizations and groups also cooperated. Such teamwork resulted in a splendid performance on that day in February. Outside, it snowed a little and even full moon came out as though it was attracted by the splendor of the performance.

‘Kaguyahime’ brought many presents to us in Meguro. These included a rich sense of connection with the people involved in the production, and a great impression for the audience. A rehearsal, staged as enthusiastically as the real performance, was witnessed by Meguro elementary school children. In addition, the performance group generously contributed the profits to Meguro UNESCO Association. ‘Kaguyahime’, we really appreciate you!

Meguro UNESCO Association members wish to express their utmost appreciation here to those involved in this concert.
Donation (from the net profit)..... 101,301 yen
Contributions(from contribution box) 8,161yen
Total........................................ 109,462 yen　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(Fumiko Harada)

　 On April 23, five students at the Higashiyama junior high school visited our head office all the way from Higashi-Iwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture. They said that they had decided to study UNICEF and UNESCO during their learning trip, a part of their integrated studies. The scheduled one-hour passed quickly while we were seeing a video of the campaign against illiteracy in Nepal and answering questions that had been mailed beforehand. They had made preliminary investigations into UNESCO as their research subject. I look forward to seeing the reports they will create. The junior high school students were so considerate for their age that they added to their prepared speech that they were glad to have an opportunity to touch on tenderness and joy.”I was also able to learn from the visit of the junior high school students. I found it so difficult to communicate to other people what I thought I understood well, to prepare material suitable for junior high school students, and, above all, to convey the “importance of peace” cordially. It turned out to be a delightful learning experience in which I was able to find joy out of my difficulties. Now that we have established the head office, we will have more visitors. I would like to accumulate this kind of experiences from now on.(Chairperson of International Exchange Committee: Fumiko Miyazaki)

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