Harvest Festival 第17回 国際交流ふれあい農園収穫祭

On September 4th, I had the opportunity to go to the 17th annual International Harvest Festival in Fukuchiyama. The Seika Global Network, an international exchange organization in Seika, organized a trip and kindly asked me to come. And of course I’m not going to say no to a festival. The festival was packed to the brim with kids, international residents, and people looking to learn and interact in an open environment.

9月4日に精華町を拠点に活動する国際交流団体せいかグローバルネットの皆さんと京都府福知山市で開催の「第17回国際交流ふれあい農園収穫祭」に行かせてもらった。この祭では、子どもや外国人住民とふれあいたい人などで混み合っていた。


The event started off with Nagashi-somen, where you have to catch somen noodles as they flow down a bamboo gutter. It was a lot of fun battling for the noodles with the kids next to me, but thankfully there was more than enough for everybody to have some.

この祭は流しそうめんから始まった。竹製のといを使って素麺を流し、箸で捕まえてめんつゆ等に付けて食べる。隣の子どもさんとちょっとバトルしたけど､結局皆が十分食べられた。

Next up was the mochi-making; a traditional Japanese activity that everyone, from the Japanese kids to the international visitors had a chance to try. Basically, you use a large wooden hammer, and smash rice in a wooden bowl, while a partner keeps the rice together and wet. I wasn’t exactly the most skilled mochi-maker, and I may have nearly hit a few people on the back swing, but it was still a lot of fun. Plus, we got to eat the mochi we helped make afterwards!

次は餅つきで、子どもさんから外国人までさせてもらった。私は、杵が周りの人に当りそうなほどちょっと危なくて下手だったけど、本当に楽しかった。そして、作ったもちを食べられたから、最高だった！

During all of this there were dances, games, and farming activities like sweet potato picking that everybody got involved in. I was really impressed with how outgoing many of the kids were at the festival, and I was often invited by them to take part in the games or activities. It was also a great chance for international residents to meet and greet, and I had the chance to speak with a group of girls from China, a woman from Argentina, and a guy from Ohio in the states!

祭で踊りやゲームや芋堀もあって、皆が参加していた。そして、祭にいた子どもは本当に外交的でよく僕をゲームなどに誘ってくれたので､びっくりした。そして､外国人住民とも話せたから､本当にいいイベントだった。私は中国人の女の子達やアルゼンチンからきた女の人、そしてアメリカのオハイオ州出身の男性などと話せた。



The festival finished off with a BBQ, and performances ranging from flamenco dancing to Japanese Taiko. Unfortunately our group had to leave before the fireworks, but it was still a great day. If you have any interest in getting involved with the Seika Global Network and their events and activities, check out the link below.

最後にバーベキューがあって、フラメンコと太鼓の演奏もあった。残念ながら、花火の前に帰らなければならなかったけど､本当に最高な日だった。もし、せいかグローバルネットに興味があったら、是非リンクを見てください。