New Year’s Party with a Rich International Flavor
Successful Gathering with a Variety of Food & 130 Participants

　
　On Jan. 17, Meguro UNESCO’s New Year’s party was held at St. Paul’s Church.

This year, there was a charity auction to raise funds for the earthquake victims in Iran. Together with other enjoyments, time flew in great success.

Picture: Cheerful speeches by friendship members of 17 nationalities (students of our Japanese classes) attracted a great deal of attention.

My First New Year’s Party The party proceeded with the soft, flowing voice of Ms Katsuoka, Chairperson of the International Exchange Committee. Ms Reiko Kato, the president of Meguro UNESCO, presented the opening speech full of love and peace. In the speeches that followed, the guests spoke each of their valuable stories in the fifty years of Meguro UNESCO’s history. The UNESCO spirit was engraved in every word they spoke. Indeed, the speeches were not the highlight of the party for all, but no one was to blame. The purpose was to promote mutual friendship among the members, so the more cheerful the better. All the friendship members and the welcoming atmosphere were enough to show the broad-mindedness, strength, and the rich experience of Meguro UNESCO. With the well-organized programs, and the variety of appetizing dishes the members had brought, everybody enjoyed the party thoroughly, eating, drinking, and singing. At the end of the party, Vice President Mr Hirata made a speech advocating the principles of Meguro UNESCO.　　

The fund-raising charity auction for the earthquake victims in Iran was appropriate for the occasion, Jan. 17 being the memorial day of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. And it was heartwarming too, that an Iranian girl handed flowers to Ms Kato, whose birthday also happened to fall on the very same day.Picture: Opening performance of a recorder ensemble. After the toast, there were vocal solos, choruses, and speeches, etc.Fifty years ago when Meguro UNESCO was established, I was a young man of 25 in Akita. I remember a UNESCO association in Akita too, but it was shortly after the war and the association seemed somewhat American. That was the best of my knowledge when I became a member of Meguro UNESCO last December. My wife and I did have a very good time at the New Year’s party.Shoe Kannari, PR Committee 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Messages from the participants of the New Year’s Party