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On
April 4th, an opening ceremony and a tree
planting ceremony of the annual
Cherry Blossom Festival was organized by Japan
Society of Greater
Philadelphia (JSGP), and was held in Fairmont
Park, Philadelphia.
The history of Philadelphia’s cherry trees dates back
to 1926 when the Japanese government presented
2000 trees to the U.S. in celebration of the
150th anniversary of U.S. Independence and as a
gesture of friendship. At the center of Fairmont
Park, the trees presented to the U.S. several
decades ago are still blooming every year,
exhibiting its beauty. Those who attended the
ceremony were, Mr. Takao Saito (Co-chairs of
JSGP, President, Chairman and CEO, Subaru of
America, Inc.), Mr. Peter Sears (Co-chairs of
JSGP), Ms. Kazumi Teune (Executive Director of
JSGP), Ms. Bonnie Grant (Deputy City
Representative, the City of Philadelphia) and
Ambassador Hiroyasu Ando (Consul General of the
Consulate General of Japan in New York).
The ceremony began with the powerful rhythm of taiko
drums by students of the Performing Arts
Department of Tamagawa University in Japan and
was followed by the hosts’ greetings. The
representative from the City delivered a speech
on behalf of the Mayor of Philadelphia, then
Ambassador Ando. From Subaru America Inc., the
sponsor of the event, Vice President Mr. Thomas
Doll greeted the audience. The ceremony
continued with children’s charming chorus
performance of a traditional Japanese song,
“Sakura Sakura” and a tree planting ceremony of
the newly received 100 cherry trees. Regardless
of the rainy weather and the ceremony being
held indoor, many people participated the event.
Since 1998, the JSGP is promoting activities to plant
100 trees every year. To date, Japan Society has
planted a total of 700 cherry trees. Their goal
is to present 1000 trees by 2007. These cherry
trees are maintained and supervised by “Morris
Arboretum”, a botanic garden of the University
of Pennsylvania, which began with the assistance
of members and volunteers of JSGP. Tea ceremony,
martial arts, ikebana, origami, sushi making,
kimono exhibitions and other Japanese cultural
events will be held until April 10th at various
locations throughout the Philadelphia area. For more
info
http://jasgp.org/sakura/index.html
 
 
 
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