Today
is a national holiday (Cultural Day). I visited Shizuoka City, the capital of
Shizuoka Prefecture, about 160 km west from Tokyo to see the World Cup of
street performances (Daidogei).
I
was welcomed by clowns when I got off JR Shizuoka station and moved into one of
main streets of the city. The clowns are played by the volunteers to support
the event. Steward, traffic control persons and many other event staff members
are also volunteer members.
The
performances were played in the park, main streets and other public spaces. An artist attracted hundreds of audiences with his "hat" plays in the place in front of the
city hall (2nd picture from the top).
Artists
played various performances including the juggling acts in the Sumpu Castle
Park.
Kid were practicing juggling in places not far from the artists’ stages.
The
event started in 1992. It attracts nearly 2 million visitors every year.
This year's Cup was held from October 31st to November 3rd. More than 90 artists (individuals and groups) participated in. The
championship was given to a pair of an American and a Spanish, who played
performances using bicycles.
The
event is useful not only for tourism in the region bat also for the internationalization
of the area. Children have more opportunities to know foreign people through
the event. They also meet many volunteers and understand the importance of such
activities.
It
was interesting.
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